WASHINGTON/BUDAPEST/MOSCOW – U.S. President Donald Trump announced, following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that he would arrange a meeting in Budapest. According to Trump, significant progress was made during their conversation on issues of international security and the cessation of the war in Ukraine.

Trump stated that Putin congratulated the United States on achieving a "major peace breakthrough in the Middle East" during the phone call. "As he said, this peace has been dreamed of for centuries. I truly believe that the success in the Middle East will help us in negotiations to end the war with Russia and Ukraine," Trump said. According to the former president, the conversation also touched on humanitarian issues. Putin reportedly thanked First Lady Melania Trump for her work with children and praised her long-term involvement in charitable projects. "He was very grateful to her and said he would continue in that vein," Trump added.

In addition to geopolitical issues, both leaders, according to Trump, also discussed future economic relations between the United States and Russia. "We discussed trade between our countries after the war with Ukraine," he said. Trump announced that the United States and Russia have agreed to hold initial meetings between their top advisors next week. The U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with several designated officials.

“Tomorrow, I will meet with President Zelensky in the Oval Office to discuss my conversation with Putin and many other things,” Trump added. “I believe that significant progress was made today.” The anticipated meeting in Budapest is expected to take place shortly after the expert-level consultations between the two sides, according to sources in U.S. diplomacy. The Hungarian capital, long known for its balanced relations with both Moscow and Washington, could serve as a neutral ground for a possible resumption of peace negotiations, according to observers.

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