Trump, Putin to hold high-stakes Budapest summit in push to end ‘inglorious’ Ukraine war

In a dramatic turn on the global stage, US President Donald Trump announced on October 16 that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest for landmark talks aimed at ending what he called the “inglorious” Russia-Ukraine war.

The meeting expected to be one of the most consequential of Trump’s presidency will follow a round of high-level preparatory discussions between American and Russian advisors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the US delegation, with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov expected to engage in parallel talks, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed.

Trump made the announcement after what he described as a “very productive” phone call with Putin. In a post on Truth Social, he revealed that the Russian leader had congratulated him and the United States on what Putin termed “peace in the Middle East,” calling it an achievement “dreamed of for centuries.”

“I actually believe that the success in the Middle East will help in our negotiation in attaining an end to the war with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote, suggesting that his administration’s recent diplomatic wins could create momentum for peace in Eastern Europe.

Trump added that the two leaders also discussed post-war trade opportunities and humanitarian efforts, with Putin commending First Lady Melania Trump’s initiatives involving children.

Ushakov, speaking to Russian media, said the call was initiated by Moscow and that Putin warned Trump against any US decision to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine — a move he said could “undermine the peace process.”

The Budapest summit is being viewed as a strategic choice, given Hungary’s close ties with both Washington and Moscow and its positioning as a neutral venue for sensitive diplomacy.

Before heading to Budapest, Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday to discuss the next phase of talks, ongoing US military assistance, and coordination on future peace efforts.

The proposed summit, if successful, could mark a major inflection point in the nearly three-year-long war that has reshaped global alliances — and serve as a defining moment for Trump’s foreign policy legacy.