Former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on October 16, 2025, that he was engaged in what he described as a "lengthy" and "productive" conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The announcement was made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, coming one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s scheduled White House meeting, where Zelenskyy is expected to seek increased military support from the United States amid ongoing hostilities with Russia. (original article)
During his post, Trump indicated that the discussion with Putin was ongoing and pledged to disclose further details after its conclusion. Both leaders, following the call, stated that they would meet in person in Budapest, Hungary, within the next two weeks to discuss potential steps toward ending the war in Ukraine. This development was confirmed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who emphasized Hungary’s status as a "pro-peace" nation and its significance as the chosen venue for the upcoming summit. (apnews.com)
Orbán’s government has frequently positioned Hungary as a mediator in European affairs, and the upcoming summit marks a rare direct engagement between U.S. and Russian leadership focused on the Ukraine conflict. (reuters.com)
In the interim, Trump is scheduled to receive President Zelenskyy at the White House to discuss outcomes from his conversation with Putin and further explore avenues toward de-escalation. According to statements from Trump, he would consider supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles if Russia was unwilling to pursue negotiations, signaling a potential shift in U.S. military support for Kyiv. (apnews.com)
This series of high-level diplomatic moves highlights the current U.S. administration’s efforts to broker peace and address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The situation remains fluid, with updates on both the upcoming Budapest summit and the White House meeting anticipated in the coming days. Observers in Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and Budapest will be watching closely as these critical discussions proceed.