Trump holds 'very productive' call with Putin, plans Budapest meeting to end Russia-Ukraine war

Trump holds call with Putin

US President Donald Trump described his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “very productive,” noting that both sides agreed to hold high-level meetings next week, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other designated officials in Budapest, Hungary.

“A meeting location is yet to be determined. President Putin and I will then meet at an agreed-upon location in Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this ‘inglorious’ war between Russia and Ukraine to an end,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

He also highlighted that Putin congratulated him on “the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East, something that, he said, has been dreamed of for centuries.”

Trump added that he plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House to discuss the conversation with Putin and other related matters.

He also noted that he will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office to discuss the conversation with Putin and other matters. “I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation,” Trump concluded.

They agreed to meet at an “agreed-upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this ‘inglorious’ war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.”

Trump also mentioned that Putin had thanked First Lady Melania for her work with children, describing it as “very much appreciated” and confirming that such initiatives would continue. The two leaders also discussed potential trade between Russia and the United States after the conflict in Ukraine concludes.

The call comes ahead of Trump’s Friday meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been urging the sale of Tomahawk missiles to enable Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory.

Zelenskyy argues that such capabilities could pressure Putin to take Trump’s calls for direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations more seriously.