US President Donald Trump has announced that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, following a productive phone call between the two leaders. The meeting aims to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, with Trump expressing optimism about making progress.
Key Points from the Call
- *Productive Conversation*: Trump described the call as productive, stating that "great progress" was made in discussions about Ukraine.
- *Meeting in Budapest*: The meeting between Trump and Putin is set to take place in Budapest, Hungary, although no specific date has been announced.
- *Ukraine Conflict*: The two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Trump reiterating his desire to end the war quickly.
Reactions from Ukraine
- *Upcoming Meeting with Trump*: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House, where he will likely discuss Ukraine's request for Tomahawk missiles.
- *Zelenskyy's Stance*: Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for Western support to counter Russian aggression, including access to long-range missiles like Tomahawks ¹ ².
Implications and Future Steps
- *Diplomatic Efforts*: Senior US and Russian officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will hold meetings next week to prepare for the Trump-Putin summit.
- *Potential Breakthrough*: Trump's call with Putin comes after a recent Gaza ceasefire deal, which Trump hopes will create momentum for resolving the Ukraine conflict ² ¹.
