US President Donald Trump said he plans to visit Saudi Arabia next month to sign an investment agreement as part of his first official trip abroad in his second term, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
He is also considering visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the agency added.
"It could be next month, it could be a little later", Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Four sources familiar with the matter indicate that the likely period for the trip is mid-May. It is recalled that in 2017 Trump made his first international visit as president to Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Investment and international issues on the agenda
Trump confirmed that the main goal of his visit would be to conclude an agreement for investments worth more than $1 billion in the US economy, including deals for military equipment. He hinted that similar agreements could also be signed in Qatar and the UAE.
"Great things will be done in these two or three days," the US president said, but did not reveal further details about the deals.
Trump and his hosts are also expected to discuss important global issues such as Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Gaza Strip, according to sources familiar with the preparations for the visit.
Saudi Arabia plays a key role in Washington's international diplomacy. Riyadh has already hosted talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine as the Trump administration tries to broker a ceasefire, Reuters notes.
Expanding the Abrams Accords
Last week, Trump promised to expand the Abrams Accords - an initiative to normalize relations between Israel and the Gulf states, which was agreed upon during his first term.
The American president stressed that more countries are expressing a desire to join the agreement. However, Saudi Arabia still has reservations about Israel because of the war in the Gaza Strip, Reuters notes.
Official confirmation pending
The White House has not yet confirmed the dates of the trip.
"The possibility of an international visit by the president is on the agenda. "We don't have a concrete plan yet and will provide more information when it becomes official," a White House official said.