T he White House on Thursday afternoon said President Donald Trump is "open" to meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin, after a White House official earlier in the day said Putin also would have to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump has met in-person with Zelensky at least three times since returning to office, including a Feb. 28 meeting where he lashed out at the Ukrainian president and accused him of prolonging Russia’s invasion. The two leaders met again on April 26 on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral and in The Hague on June 25.

U.S. President Donald Trump could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week — their first meeting since Trump's return to office in January — a White House official said on Wednesday.