Trump says he has to meet with Putin

President Trump says he is considering calling Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the next steps to ending the Russia-Ukraine war after Mr. Putin didn’t show up to the peace talks in Turkey.

“I may. We have to meet. He and I will,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while leaving the United Arab Emirates Friday.

“I think we’ll solve it, or maybe not, but at least we’ll know,” he said. “And if we don’t solve it, it will be very interesting.”

The president said earlier Friday in Abu Dhabi that he expects to meet with Mr. Putin “as soon as we can set it up.”

“I think it’s time for us to just do it,” Mr. Trump told reporters.

He said he would “actually leave here and go,” but that his daughter, Tiffany Trump, just gave birth.

“I do want to see my beautiful grandson.”

Talks in Turkey with Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to take place Friday afternoon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew to Turkey, but Mr. Putin did not. Officials from both countries will meet in Istanbul.

Mr. Trump said Thursday that Mr. Putin didn’t show up to the Turkey talks because he himself didn’t show up.