Trump announces he will meet Putin in Hungary for discussions on Ukraine following a ‘highly effective’ phone conversation.

US President Donald Trump stated that “significant advancements” were achieved during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, with both leaders consenting to in-person discussions in Hungary.

He remarked that the call, marking the first dialogue with Putin since mid-August, was “very constructive”, mentioning that delegations from Washington and Moscow are set to convene next week.

Trump did not disclose a date for his encounter with Putin in Budapest. The Kremlin indicated that preparations for the summit would commence “immediately” following the “extremely candid and trustworthy” conversation.

The discussions occurred just a day prior to Ukraine’s President Zelensky’s visit to the White House, coinciding with Trump deliberating whether to equip Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles capable of reaching deep into Russian territory.

Upon arriving in the US, Zelensky remarked that Moscow was “hastening to rekindle dialogue as soon as it learns about Tomahawks”.

Posting on his Truth Social platform after the call, Trump mentioned that he and Putin “dedicated considerable time discussing Trade between Russia and the United States once the War with Ukraine concludes”.

He noted that “high level advisors” from both nations would convene at a yet-to-be-disclosed venue next week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio steering the American group.

Trump also indicated he would brief Zelensky on his discussions with Putin on Friday, stating: “I believe substantial progress was achieved in today’s phone conversation.”

He later informed reporters he anticipated meeting Putin “within two weeks”.

When questioned about the possibility of supplying missiles to Ukraine following his call with Putin, Trump remarked “we can’t deplete” the US stock of Tomahawks, adding “we need them as well… so I’m uncertain what we can manage regarding that”.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, asserted that Russia launching nighttime strikes on Ukraine “mere hours before” Putin’s call with Trump “reveals Moscow’s true stance on peace”.

In a statement to the BBC’s US partner CBS, she added: “These assaults demonstrate that Moscow’s approach is based on terror and fatigue. The only effective reaction is pressure – via stricter sanctions, enhanced air defense, and the provision of long-range capabilities.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on X that the anticipated Budapest meeting was “fantastic news for the peace-seeking people globally”.

Earlier, he commented: “Peace necessitates patience, strength, and humility. Europe must alter its position. Instead of arrogance and exacerbating endless conflict, we must pursue negotiations with Russia. Only dialogue can secure peace on our continent.”

Trump has adopted a significantly firmer stance towards Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict since a face-to-face summit in Alaska in August, which did not yield a decisive advancement in efforts to negotiate a peace accord.

The two leaders met on US territory on August 15 for a summit that the US president hoped would convince the Russian leader to engage in comprehensive peace discussions to resolve the Ukraine issue. Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

They spoke once more days later when Trump interrupted a meeting with Zelensky and European leaders to contact Putin.

Since that time, neither the White House nor the Kremlin have officially acknowledged any exchanges between the two.

During his presidential campaign, Trump asserted he would manage to end the Ukraine war in mere days, but he has since recognized that resolving the conflict has proven to be more difficult than any other challenge he has faced since regaining office.

Trump was perceived as more favorable towards Russia compared to his predecessor Joe Biden, and strained relations with Zelensky peaked on February 28, when he and Vice-President JD Vance criticized the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office during a live broadcast.

However, public relations with Zelensky have significantly improved over recent months.

In September, Trump indicated a notable change in his perspective on the conflict, expressing his belief that Kyiv could “regain all of Ukraine in its original form,” a stark contrast to his earlier public urges for Kyiv to yield territory occupied by Russia.

During Zelensky’s forthcoming visit to Washington on Friday, his third since January, the issue of Tomahawk missiles is expected to be a key topic of discussion.

Zelensky has requested the US to supply Ukraine with the advanced missiles, which have a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles).

When asked earlier this week whether he was contemplating providing Ukraine with the missiles, he replied: “We’ll see… I might.”

In late July, Trump imposed a deadline on Putin of less than two weeks to agree to a ceasefire or face extensive sanctions, including measures targeting nations that continue to trade with Russia.

However, he did not follow through on that threat after Putin consented to meet Trump in Alaska, which the US president celebrated as a major diplomatic victory at the time, despite it yielding no concrete results.

Earlier on Thursday, India’s foreign ministry cast skepticism on a claim made by Trump the previous day regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreeing to halt the purchase of Russian oil.

An Indian government spokesperson stated he was “unaware of any conversation between the two leaders” occurring the day before, after Trump claimed Modi assured him that purchases would cease “in a short timeframe”.

The US has urged countries—especially India, China, and NATO members—to stop procuring Russian energy to intensify economic pressure on the Kremlin. Zelensky has also consistently echoed those appeals.