Washington/Moscow/Budapest – Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary next week, following what he described as a series of “productive” discussions between their aides. The revelation comes just days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit the White House, adding new intrigue to an already tense geopolitical landscape.
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump said the planned meeting would focus on “steps toward ending the war in Ukraine” and “rebuilding stability in Europe.” He described his communication with Putin’s team as “constructive and open,” though he did not elaborate on whether the talks were conducted directly or through intermediaries.
“I’ve always said that peace comes through strength and understanding, not endless fighting,” Trump said. “We had very productive talks, and we’re going to take that forward in Hungary. I think this could be a big step toward peace.”
The announcement immediately sparked global attention — and concern — given the timing and Trump’s history of warm remarks about Putin. The meeting, reportedly set to take place in Budapest, will be hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, one of Europe’s few leaders maintaining close ties with Moscow despite Western sanctions.
Sources close to the Trump camp say the former president sees this as an opportunity to “demonstrate leadership on the world stage” and position himself as a potential mediator in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. However, critics in Washington warned that the meeting could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration, which has maintained strong military and financial support for Kyiv.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called Trump’s initiative “unofficial and uncoordinated,” cautioning that any private diplomacy involving Russia “must not contradict or confuse U.S. foreign policy.”
Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Washington later this week for talks with President Biden, focusing on additional defense support, reconstruction aid, and future NATO cooperation. The contrast between Trump’s meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy’s official visit has already become a point of political tension in Washington, with analysts describing it as “a split-screen moment in U.S. diplomacy.”
The Kremlin confirmed that discussions about the meeting are underway but declined to provide details. “We welcome any constructive dialogue that supports peace,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, noting that Hungary had offered to facilitate the talks.
European leaders reacted cautiously, with some expressing hope that any engagement could reduce hostilities, while others warned against legitimizing Moscow’s aggression. “This could either open a door for negotiation or blur the lines of accountability,” said one EU diplomat.
If confirmed, the Trump–Putin meeting in Hungary would mark the first face-to-face encounter between the two figures since 2019. For now, the world watches closely — as Trump once again steps onto the diplomatic stage, reigniting debate over his influence on global affairs and his vision for how the war in Ukraine should end.