ALBAWABA- U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, following what he described as a “very productive” phone call with the Kremlin leader.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said senior officials from both sides would meet next week to prepare for the summit, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio heading the American delegation. “A venue will be chosen,” Trump noted, adding that he and Putin would gather in Budapest “to see if we can end this dishonorable war between Russia and Ukraine.”
No date was given, though Trump hinted the meeting could take place within two weeks. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of both leaders, confirmed that preparations were underway after speaking directly with Trump and expressed readiness to host the talks.
The announcement followed Trump’s two-hour phone conversation with Putin on October 16, which he called “a great step forward.” The Kremlin confirmed the call but released few details, while Trump said it touched on the Ukraine war, Middle East stability, and postwar trade prospects.
It marks the first direct contact between the two leaders since their August summit in Alaska, part of Trump’s renewed push to end the conflict that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, en route to Washington for his own meeting with Trump, has not publicly commented on the Putin talks. In earlier statements, however, Zelensky described his October 11–12 calls with Trump as “productive,” emphasizing Ukraine’s urgent need for air defense systems and long-range missiles.
He has urged Trump to apply the same diplomatic energy used in the Gaza ceasefire toward securing peace in Eastern Europe.
European allies have voiced unease over potential U.S. concessions to Moscow, warning that any deal reached without Kyiv’s consent could fracture Western unity.
Trump and Zelensky are set to meet on Friday in the Oval Office to discuss the planned summit, Ukraine’s defense needs, and broader strategy.
As the war nears its fourth year, the proposed Budapest meeting could mark a major diplomatic turning point, or deepen divisions among allies over how to end the conflict.
