Trump and Putin Plan New Meeting in Budapest as Ukraine War Talks Resume

Post by : Saif Nasser

In a surprise announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump said he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The two leaders spoke for more than two hours over the phone and called the talk “productive.” The news came just before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was set to visit the White House to ask for more U.S. weapons and support.

This new development has created uncertainty about whether the United States will continue to send strong military help to Ukraine. Many European countries worry that Trump might give in to Moscow’s demands, which could weaken Ukraine’s defense.

Trump’s Sudden Announcement

President Trump said that the meeting could happen within the next two weeks, although no exact date was given. He told reporters at the White House, “My whole life, I’ve made deals. I think we’re going to have this one done, hopefully soon.”

The Kremlin also confirmed that talks were being planned. Putin’s team said the focus would be on finding ways to stop the war that started in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Trump’s announcement came right as Zelenskiy was preparing to ask for more long-range Tomahawk missiles from the U.S. to help Ukraine fight back against Russia’s attacks.

Tensions Over U.S. Support

Before the Trump-Putin call, the White House seemed ready to give Ukraine more weapons. However, Trump’s friendly tone toward Putin has now raised questions about whether Washington will move forward with that plan.

This is not the first time Trump has changed direction after speaking with Putin. Earlier this year, he held a meeting with the Russian leader in Alaska, hoping for a ceasefire. But nothing came of it, and fighting continued.

Experts say Putin might be trying to use these talks to delay U.S. action and reduce pressure on Russia. Dan Fried, a former American diplomat, said, “Putin is trying to derail the momentum toward greater pressure on Russia. The chances of a real ceasefire now seem weaker.”

Putin Warns Against U.S. Missiles

During the phone call, Putin warned Trump that sending long-range missiles to Ukraine would “harm the peace process” and damage U.S.-Russia relations. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that this message was made very clear.

When reporters asked Trump about it, he joked, “What do you think he’s going to say — ‘Please sell Tomahawks?’ No, he doesn’t want them.” Trump called the missiles “a vicious weapon” but did not say whether he would approve their delivery to Kyiv.

Zelenskiy’s Response

President Zelenskiy, who had already arrived in Washington, said that Putin’s sudden interest in talks showed Russia was worried. “We can already see that Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks,” Zelenskiy said on social media.

Ukraine continues to demand more weapons from the U.S. and NATO to defend itself. It wants missiles that can reach Moscow and other Russian cities, arguing that such range would help stop attacks on its own territory.

Why Budapest?

The choice of Budapest as the meeting place is drawing attention. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long maintained friendly ties with Putin and often questions Western military aid to Ukraine. Unlike most NATO and European Union leaders, Orban has supported closer relations with Russia.

Orban welcomed news of the meeting, calling it “great news for the peace-loving people of the world.” He said Hungary was ready to host the summit and had already spoken with Trump to prepare for it.

However, the decision is controversial because Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, which limits where he can travel safely.

What Happens Next?

Before the summit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet for preparatory talks. The location of that meeting has not been confirmed. Trump also said he would brief Zelenskiy about the Russia talks during their meeting at the White House.

Meanwhile, the war continues to rage. On Thursday, Russia launched more than 300 drones and 37 missiles across Ukraine, hitting power stations and other infrastructure. Ukraine struck back, attacking a Russian oil refinery in the Saratov region.

The war, now heading toward its fourth year, shows no signs of ending. Both sides are increasing their attacks, and civilians continue to suffer.

Global Reaction

Trump’s plan for another summit with Putin has received mixed reactions worldwide. Supporters say diplomacy is the only way to stop the bloodshed. Critics argue that the Russian leader has used talks in the past to buy time and avoid real peace efforts.

Many European leaders fear Trump might reduce U.S. aid to Ukraine, leaving Kyiv weaker. Others hope that if Trump can get both sides to agree on a ceasefire, it could bring much-needed relief to millions of Ukrainians caught in the conflict.