WASHINGTON/BUDAPEST/MOSCOW - U.S. President Donald Trump said after a telephone meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would hold a meeting in Budapest. He said "great progress" was made on international security issues and ending the war in Ukraine during their last conversation.
Trump said Putin congratulated the United States during the phone call for achieving "a great success for peace in the Middle East." "As he said, this peace has been dreamed of for centuries. I really believe that success in the Middle East will help us in negotiations to end the war with Russia and Ukraine," Trump said. The former president said the conversation also touched on humanitarian issues. Putin reportedly thanked First Lady Melania Trump for her work with children and praised her longstanding involvement in charity projects. "He was very grateful to her and said he would continue to do so," Trump added.
In addition to geopolitical issues, Trump said the two statesmen also discussed the future economic relations between the United States and Russia. "We discussed trade between our countries after the end of the war with Ukraine," he said. Trump announced that the United States and Russia have agreed to hold the first meetings of their senior advisers next week. The US delegation is to be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with several designated officials.
"President Zelensky and I will meet tomorrow in the Oval Office to discuss my conversation with Putin and much more," Trump added. "I believe great progress was made today." The expected meeting in Budapest is expected to take place shortly after expert consultations between the two sides, according to US diplomatic sources. The Hungarian capital, long known for its balanced relations with both Moscow and Washington, could serve as neutral ground for a possible resumption of peace talks, observers say.
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