WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will soon meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss possible steps toward ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The announcement came after a more than two-hour phone conversation between the two leaders, which Trump described as “very productive.” Although no date has been confirmed, the meeting could take place within the next two weeks, according to both U.S. and Russian officials.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “My whole life, I’ve made deals. I think we’re going to have this one done, hopefully soon.” The news comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives in Washington to request additional U.S. military support, including the supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles that could extend Ukraine’s strike capability deep into Russian territory.

The White House had appeared ready to grant Zelenskiy’s request in recent days. However, Trump’s renewed diplomatic outreach to Putin has left many in Europe uncertain about whether U.S. military support for Kyiv might be delayed or reduced. European allies, who have grown wary of past failed peace efforts involving Moscow, worry that Russia may use these talks to buy time while continuing its attacks on Ukraine.

During the phone conversation, Putin reportedly warned Trump that sending long-range missiles to Ukraine would damage any chance of a peace process and harm U.S.–Russia relations. Trump later joked with reporters, saying, “What do you think he’s going to say, ‘Please sell Tomahawks’? No, he doesn’t want them. They’re a vicious weapon.”

Zelenskiy responded by saying that Putin’s eagerness to resume dialogue was a sign of weakness. “We can already see that Moscow is rushing to talk as soon as it hears about Tomahawks,” he said in a social media post.

The choice of Budapest as a potential meeting site has raised eyebrows internationally. Putin faces arrest warrants in several jurisdictions over alleged war crimes, which restrict his travel options. Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has maintained a close relationship with Russia, even as other NATO and EU members distance themselves. Ukraine’s relationship with Hungary has been tense in recent months, with Zelenskiy accusing Hungarian drones of crossing into Ukrainian airspace. Orban has also questioned Ukraine’s sovereignty and criticized Western nations for sending weapons to Kyiv.

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

Ahead of the summit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are expected to meet next week to discuss preliminary terms. Trump also said he would brief Zelenskiy on his call with Putin when they meet at the White House on Friday.

The war in Ukraine, nearing its fourth year, continues to escalate with both sides launching large-scale attacks. Russia recently fired hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine’s power grid, while Ukrainian forces have struck oil refineries and military sites inside Russia. Kyiv has repeatedly asked for more advanced weapons to extend its reach, arguing that only by pressuring Moscow directly can the war be ended.

Trump, who has branded himself as a peacemaker after mediating a Gaza ceasefire earlier this year, expressed optimism that the Budapest talks could mark a turning point. Still, analysts caution that similar efforts in the past have failed to produce results, and skepticism remains high about Russia’s true intentions.

Whether this upcoming meeting delivers progress toward a ceasefire or simply another round of stalled diplomacy will depend on both sides’ willingness to compromise. For now, the world watches as Trump and Putin prepare to meet once again—this time, with the fate of Ukraine hanging in the balance.

 Trump to Meet Putin in Budapest to Discuss Ukraine Peace

President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest within the next two weeks to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The decision followed a two-hour call between the leaders that Trump described as “productive.” The Kremlin confirmed the talks are being arranged, though no exact date has been set. The announcement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Washington seeking U.S. long-range missiles. Trump’s diplomatic tone has sparked both hope for peace and concern that America might ease pressure on Moscow.