
Wed May 14 12:09:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the text you provided.
**Summary:**
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, traveling on Air Force One after a Gulf tour in May 2025, stated he might travel to Turkey for talks regarding the Ukraine conflict, contingent on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s presence. He highlighted his willingness to potentially end the war despite a previous snub by Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is already scheduled to visit Istanbul. This comes amidst Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s urging of Putin to meet him in Turkey.
**News Article:**
**Trump Floats Turkey Trip for Ukraine Peace Talks, Contingent on Putin’s Attendance**
*Aboard Air Force One (May 14, 2025)* – Former U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a possible trip to Turkey for discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Saudi Arabia to Qatar on Wednesday, Trump stated the potential visit was contingent on the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I don’t know that he (Putin) would be there if I’m not there,” Trump said. “I know he would like me to be there, and that’s a possibility. If we could end the war, I’d be thinking about that.”
Trump, currently concluding a Gulf tour with a scheduled stop in the United Arab Emirates, emphasized his willingness to travel to Turkey “to save a lot of lives,” despite existing commitments.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to travel to Istanbul on Friday.
Trump’s remarks follow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public appeal for Putin to meet him in Turkey this week, suggesting a no-show would signal Moscow’s lack of genuine interest in peace. While Putin has advocated for negotiations, the Kremlin has yet to confirm his participation in any such meeting.
Trump, who previously vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine war upon taking office and exerted pressure on Zelenskyy, has recently expressed frustration after Russia rejected an initial ceasefire offer.