U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, following a 2.5-hour phone call described as "extremely candid" by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. Trump stated on Truth Social that discussions included post-conflict trade prospects, with both leaders agreeing to a preparatory meeting led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the summit.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed the initiative, calling it "great news for peace-loving people." The announcement precedes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's White House visit, where he is expected to seek advanced air defense systems, a move opposed by Moscow.
This marks Trump and Putin's second high-stakes meeting since August, when talks in Alaska yielded no breakthrough. Analysts speculate that resolving the conflict could reshape global energy markets and security alliances, offering new opportunities for investors and businesses in Eurasia.
