Trump says Putin doesn't have to meet with Zelensky before their sit-down

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders isn't a condition for him to meet with Russian President Putin in what would be their first in-person encounter in Trump's second term. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement shortly before Trump's Oval Office remarks that "the Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to this meeting."