Trump, Putin to Meet in Budapest to Discuss Ukraine War
Former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Budapest, Hungary, in approximately two weeks to discuss potential pathways to end the war in Ukraine, a development that underscores shifting dynamics in international diplomacy.
Yesterday, Trump announced the planned meeting, his second with Putin this year, just before a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a key ally of Trump and considered Putin’s closest partner within the European Union, welcomed the decision, stating that Budapest was “essentially the only place in Europe today where such a meeting could be held, primarily because Hungary is almost the only pro-peace country.” Orbán has consistently opposed Western military and financial aid to Ukraine, a stance that has strained Hungary’s relationships with its NATO allies.
The choice of Budapest as a venue carries symbolic weight, as it was in the Hungarian capital in 1994 that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia provided security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for Kyiv relinquishing its nuclear arsenal – assurances that were later violated by Russia’s actions in 2014 and 2022. This meeting occurs as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has destabilized Eastern Europe and prompted a significant realignment of geopolitical alliances. Péter Krekó, director of the Political Capital think tank in Budapest, noted the talks represent a “huge victory” for Putin, allowing him to utilize a NATO country as a platform for negotiations with limited Ukrainian or EU representation. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023, but Hungary has indicated it will withdraw from the court, potentially avoiding a legal conflict should Putin visit. More information on the Budapest Memorandum can be found at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Organizing the meeting presents logistical challenges, including navigating NATO airspace restrictions and potential legal hurdles related to the ICC warrant. Officials stated that the upcoming negotiations are “not about Hungary,” but Orbán acknowledged the meeting could be viewed as “a political achievement” for his country, particularly as he faces a challenging election in the coming months. The United States has been a key partner in supporting Ukraine through diplomatic and military aid.
A date for the meeting has not yet been set, but officials indicated it is expected to occur within the next two weeks, and further details will be released as they become available.
