RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Trump said Tuesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent him at Russia-Ukraine peace talks expected to take place Thursday in Istanbul — after suggesting he might go himself to try to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to Türkiye on the same dates recently referenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his proposal for talks with Ukraine. The US State Department stated that Rubio will accompany US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia and Qatar from May 11 to May 14.

President Donald Trump met with Syria's new president Ahmad al-Sharaa as he wrapped up a visit to Saudi Arabia. He then headed to Qatar, the center of a controversy over a gifted plane.