Donald Trump has revealed plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, following what he described as a “good and productive” telephone conversation between the two leaders on Thursday that marked a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the Ukraine war.
The US President announced on his Truth Social platform that “high level advisors” from both nations would meet next week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the American delegation. Trump said the leaders would then convene in the Hungarian capital to pursue what he termed bringing the “inglorious” war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.
I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation,” Trump wrote, adding that he would discuss the call’s contents with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a scheduled Oval Office meeting on Friday.
Critical Juncture for Peace Negotiations
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment in the nearly three-year conflict, with Trump having campaigned on promises to swiftly end what has become Europe’s deadliest war since 1945. The telephone conversation, described by Trump as “lengthy,” represents the latest in a series of diplomatic engagements between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
Moscow has yet to provide official comment on the conversation or the proposed Budapest summit. However, the Kremlin has previously indicated openness to dialogue whilst maintaining firm positions on its objectives in Ukraine.
The timing proves particularly significant, occurring just before Zelensky’s scheduled Washington visit. The Ukrainian president is expected to press for American provision of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, weapons that could dramatically alter the battlefield dynamics and potentially reach targets deep within Russian territory.
Trump confirmed he was considering the Tomahawk request, telling reporters earlier this week that such weapons transfers could serve as leverage to bring Moscow to the negotiating table. The missiles, with their extended range capabilities, represent a significant escalation in Western military support that Ukraine has long sought.
Budapest as Diplomatic Crossroads
The selection of Budapest as the summit venue reflects Hungary’s unique position within the European Union and NATO. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained closer ties with Moscow than any other EU leader throughout the conflict, positioning himself as a potential mediator despite criticism from Western allies.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has repeatedly emphasised Budapest’s readiness to host peace negotiations, stating the government would ensure security for all participants. The Hungarian capital has historical significance as a meeting ground between East and West, having hosted numerous Cold War-era summits.
Orban has faced considerable backlash from EU partners for his stance on the conflict. Just this week, he urged European leaders at a meeting in Budapest to follow Trump’s example and pursue direct negotiations with Russia, arguing that “the EU has already spent 180 billion euros on the war in Ukraine” without achieving peace.
The Hungarian leader’s approach contrasts sharply with the broader European position. Most EU nations have maintained firm support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty whilst imposing extensive sanctions on Russia.
Previous Diplomatic Efforts
Thursday’s conversation builds upon months of diplomatic groundwork. Trump and Putin have spoken multiple times since January, including calls in February, March, May, June, July, and August. The August discussion followed an in-person meeting during the Russia-United States Summit on 15 August 2025.
Previous negotiations have focused on various ceasefire proposals, including energy infrastructure pauses and maritime agreements for the Black Sea. In March, both leaders agreed to halt strikes on energy facilities, though broader ceasefire efforts have repeatedly stalled over fundamental disagreements about Ukraine’s future status and security arrangements.
The February call resulted in an agreement to begin “immediate negotiations,” with Trump instructing senior officials including National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and CIA Director John Ratcliffe to lead peace efforts. However, progress has remained elusive as both sides maintain conflicting positions on key issues.
European Concerns and Divisions
The prospect of a Trump-Putin summit without substantial European involvement has sparked anxiety amongst Ukraine’s allies. Several European leaders have insisted that no meaningful negotiations should occur without Ukrainian participation and that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed cautious optimism whilst emphasising that “Ukraine’s voice must be central to any peace process.” French President Emmanuel Macron has similarly warned against any settlement imposed without Kyiv’s agreement.
The European Union faces internal divisions over the conflict’s resolution. Whilst nations like Poland and the Baltic states advocate continued military support for Ukraine, Hungary and increasingly vocal minorities in other member states call for immediate negotiations.
These tensions reflect broader concerns about America’s commitment to European security under Trump’s leadership. The president’s previous statements about NATO burden-sharing and his criticism of European defence spending have heightened anxieties about transatlantic unity.
Stakes for Ukraine
For Zelensky, Friday’s White House meeting represents a crucial opportunity to secure continued American support at a moment when battlefield dynamics and international diplomacy are rapidly evolving. The Ukrainian president faces the delicate task of maintaining Western backing whilst confronting pressure for negotiations.
Ukraine’s military situation remains challenging, with Russian forces maintaining momentum in several sectors despite Western military aid. The potential provision of Tomahawk missiles could offer Ukraine enhanced strategic capabilities, though questions persist about escalation risks.
Zelensky has consistently maintained that any peace agreement must ensure Ukraine’s territorial integrity and provide robust security guarantees. The president has also demanded accountability for alleged war crimes and reparations for Ukraine’s massive reconstruction needs.
Ukrainian officials privately express concern about being sidelined in US-Russia discussions, fearing a settlement imposed without adequate consideration of Kyiv’s interests. These anxieties have intensified following Trump’s campaign rhetoric about quickly ending the war.
Implications for Global Order
The proposed Budapest summit carries implications extending far beyond the immediate conflict. A successful peace agreement could reshape European security architecture and influence broader US-Russia relations on issues from arms control to Middle East stability.
Conversely, a failed summit or an agreement perceived as rewarding aggression could undermine international law principles and embolden other potential aggressors. Western officials worry that legitimising territorial conquest through negotiations could establish dangerous precedents.
The summit’s timing also intersects with other global challenges, including tensions over Taiwan, instability in the Middle East, and concerns about nuclear proliferation. How Trump and Putin address Ukraine could signal their approach to these interconnected issues.
Path Forward Remains Uncertain
Despite Trump’s optimism about “great progress,” substantial obstacles remain to achieving sustainable peace. Fundamental disagreements persist over Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, the status of occupied territories, and security guarantees for all parties.
Russia continues to demand Ukraine’s “demilitarisation” and neutrality, positions Kyiv firmly rejects. Ukraine insists on recovering all occupied territories, including Crimea, whilst Moscow shows no indication of relinquishing its territorial gains.
The role of other stakeholders, including China, Turkey, and international organisations, remains undefined. Any comprehensive settlement would likely require broader international involvement to ensure implementation and sustainability.
As preparations begin for next week’s advisory-level meetings, the international community watches closely. The Budapest summit, if it materialises, could mark either a historic breakthrough or another disappointing chapter in efforts to end Europe’s most devastating conflict in generations.
The coming days will prove critical as Trump attempts to translate his campaign promise of ending the war into diplomatic reality. With thousands continuing to die monthly and millions displaced, the urgency for resolution grows ever more acute.
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Image Credit:
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin arriving in Alaska — photo by Benjamin D. Applebaum / U.S. Department of Defense, public domain (DoD Visual Information Division)
