Former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will meet President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, in a bid to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The landmark decision follows a nearly 2.5-hour phone call between the two leaders, which Trump described as "very productive."
In the call, Trump and Putin agreed to hold a high-level advisors’ meeting next week—with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to lead the delegation. The exact location for those talks is still under wraps, but both sides are optimistic. Trump highlighted that resolving the Ukraine crisis could unlock enormous prospects for trade and economic cooperation once the war is over.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed the announcement, calling the potential summit "great news for the peace-loving people of the world" and offering Budapest’s support as a neutral venue. The timing is also significant: it comes just a day before Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit the White House. Zelenskyy has been pushing for advanced air defenses for Ukraine, including "Tomahawk" cruise missiles—a move Moscow warned could further escalate the situation.
Experts say this diplomatic move carries high stakes. Trump’s previous meeting with Putin in Alaska last August yielded no concrete agreement, and questions remain about how to bridge Moscow’s strategic goals with Kyiv’s demands. Still, this fresh push for dialogue could mark a turning point in one of Europe’s most pressing conflicts—one that has reshaped security, energy, and economic landscapes across the G20.
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Trump says he'll meet Putin in Hungary, aiming to end Ukraine crisis
cgtn.com