Trump to Meet Putin in Budapest for Ukraine War Talks

US President Donald Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. The announcement was made on Truth Social following a productive phone call that lasted over two hours.

Meeting Details

While the specific date for the Budapest meeting has not been disclosed, President Trump expressed optimism about the discussions. He stated that he aims to put an end to what he described as the “inglorious” war between Russia and Ukraine.

Upcoming Engagements

Before this meeting, Trump will also convene with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. This meeting is scheduled for tomorrow and will cover Trump’s recent conversation with Putin, among other critical matters.

Delegation to Meet Russian Officials

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a high-level delegation to engage with Russian officials next week.
• The exact location for this engagement is still to be determined.
• Various advisors will accompany Rubio for these important discussions.

Background Context

This upcoming meeting in Budapest follows Trump’s last in-person summit with Putin, which occurred more than two months ago in Anchorage, Alaska. Sources indicate that Budapest had been considered as a potential venue for that previous meeting.

Relationship with Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has a close rapport with both leaders and may influence the discussions.

Reactions from the Administration

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that further details regarding the meeting would be shared as they become available. She confirmed the significance of the call and hinted at potential forthcoming developments.

Key Topics for Discussion

In recent talks, Trump suggested the possibility of supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, should Russia not change its approach to negotiations. However, this topic was not part of the recent call summary.

As the situation unfolds, the administration, along with global observers, will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding the upcoming discussions in Budapest.