Key Developments:
Following what he described as a “very productive” telephone conversation, Donald Trump has announced plans to meet with Vladimir Putin in Hungary to discuss potential pathways to ending the war in Ukraine.
The U.S. president indicated that preliminary discussions involving “high level advisers” are scheduled for next week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the American delegation.
According to a Putin aide, the phone call was characterized as “positive,” with both sides agreeing on “clear” next steps forward.
Timing and Context:
The announcement comes just one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s scheduled visit to Washington DC, where he is expected to meet with Trump.
Reports suggest Zelensky may request the deployment of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine for use against Russian forces—a proposal Trump has previously indicated he is reviewing.
Hungarian Response:
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed the news enthusiastically, calling the planned Trump-Putin summit “great news for the peace-loving people of the world” in a post on social media.
“We are ready!” Orbán declared, signaling Hungary’s willingness to host the high-stakes diplomatic meeting in Budapest.
The talks represent a significant diplomatic development as international efforts continue to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
