Washington, D.C. — October 16, 2025, 1:45 pm, EDT
By A. Anderson, White House Correspondent
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The announcement follows a “lengthy and productive” phone call between the two leaders, during which they agreed to initiate a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at resolving the conflict.
Meeting Timeline
- Week of October 21, 2025: High-level advisors from both countries will meet in Europe. The U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by other officials to be named.
- Date TBD: Trump and Putin will hold a face-to-face summit in Budapest, chosen for its neutral geopolitical stance and support from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Agenda Highlights
- Ceasefire Negotiations: Trump and Putin will explore terms for a potential ceasefire, building on recent diplomatic momentum following Trump’s success in brokering a Middle East truce.
- Military Aid to Ukraine: Trump has warned that if Russia refuses to engage seriously, the U.S. may supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine—a move that could dramatically escalate the conflict.
- Humanitarian Cooperation: Putin reportedly thanked First Lady Melania Trump for her efforts to help repatriate Ukrainian children displaced by the war.
- Post-War Trade: The leaders discussed future U.S.-Russia trade relations, contingent on ending hostilities.
- Security Guarantees: European partners may be invited to help shape a new security framework for Ukraine, possibly outside NATO.
Strategic Stakes
The summit comes amid intensified Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including attacks on energy infrastructure and hospitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House on Friday, October 17, where he will push for long-range weapons and air defense systems.
Trump’s dual-track diplomacy—engaging both Putin and Zelenskyy—could mark a turning point in the war. A successful summit in Hungary may pave the way for broader peace talks, while failure could trigger a new phase of escalation.
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