President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary to discuss a possible end to the war in Ukraine — marking what could become one of the most significant diplomatic moments of his presidency.
The announcement followed what Trump described as a “very productive” phone call with Putin earlier that morning. The president made the statement in a post on Truth Social, saying he believed “peace is possible” and that talks would continue in the coming weeks.
Though Trump did not specify a date for the meeting, he said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Russian officials next week to lay the groundwork for negotiations aimed at ending the more than three-year-long conflict.
Diplomatic Push Underway
The planned talks in Hungary are part of a broader diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to restart peace discussions that have largely stalled in recent months. Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — a close ally of both Trump and Putin — has positioned itself as a potential intermediary in the conflict.
Rubio’s upcoming meeting with Russian officials, expected to take place in Geneva, will focus on ceasefire terms, prisoner exchanges, and possible international security guarantees, according to administration sources familiar with the planning.
Meeting with Zelenskyy Scheduled for Friday
Before the potential summit with Putin, Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday at the White House. The two leaders are expected to discuss the earlier phone call with Putin as well as U.S. military aid and long-term defense cooperation.
One major topic on the agenda is whether the United States will sell Ukraine Tomahawk cruise missiles — a move Trump has said he is “open” to but has not yet approved.
“Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” Trump told reporters on Sunday, suggesting the potential sale could serve as leverage in talks with Russia.
The Tomahawk Question
Tomahawk missiles, which can travel nearly 1,000 miles, would significantly expand Ukraine’s strike capabilities compared to its current arsenal. The Ukrainian military currently operates systems like the Extended Range Army Tactical Missile System (ERAM) and ATACMS, which have ranges under 300 miles.
Military analysts say that while the introduction of Tomahawks could alter the strategic balance, the process of training Ukrainian forces and integrating the systems could take years.
“It’s not something that could happen overnight,” said a defense expert familiar with the program. “But even the discussion of supplying such weapons could pressure Moscow to reconsider its military strategy.”
A Renewed Effort Toward Peace?
Trump’s overture to Putin marks a renewed attempt to bring the warring sides to the negotiating table. His decision to hold talks in Hungary — a NATO country that has maintained close ties with Moscow — could provide a neutral setting for preliminary discussions.
Whether these efforts will produce meaningful results remains uncertain. Past ceasefire attempts have repeatedly collapsed amid continued fighting in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s insistence on maintaining control over occupied territories.
Still, Trump’s direct engagement with both Putin and Zelenskyy signals a new phase in U.S. diplomacy.
