The two leaders agree to face-to-face talks as Kyiv pushes Washington for Tomahawk missiles amid fresh Russian strikes.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest following what he called a “very productive” phone conversation. The surprise development comes as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to visit the White House, urging Washington to approve long-range missiles for Kyiv.
“Very Productive” Call Between Trump and Putin
Trump revealed on Thursday that he and Putin had made “great progress” during their first phone call since mid-August, agreeing to hold a summit in Hungary “within two weeks.” The Kremlin described the conversation as “extremely frank and trustful,” saying preparations for the meeting would begin immediately.
According to Trump, high-level advisers from both nations will meet next week, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading Washington’s delegation. “We spent a great deal of time talking about trade between Russia and the United States when the war is over,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding he would brief Zelensky on Friday.
Ukraine’s Call for Long-Range Missiles
The timing of Trump’s conversation with Putin coincides with Kyiv’s renewed plea for advanced weaponry. Zelensky’s upcoming White House meeting is expected to focus on Tomahawk cruise missiles — weapons capable of striking targets up to 2,500 km away. Ukrainian officials argue such systems could shift the balance of power and pressure Moscow into peace talks.
However, Trump appeared cautious. “We can’t deplete our own stockpile,” he told reporters when asked about sending Tomahawks to Ukraine. Putin has previously warned that such a move would mark “a whole new level of escalation.”
Russia Intensifies Attacks on Ukraine
Even as diplomatic efforts resumed, Russian forces launched heavy drone and missile strikes across Ukraine overnight, hitting energy infrastructure in at least eight regions. Blackouts were reported in Kyiv and the central Poltava region, while Ukraine’s energy operator Ukrenergo described the attacks as among the most severe this month.
Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, accused Moscow of “terror and exhaustion tactics,” saying the attacks exposed Russia’s insincerity toward peace. She called for stronger sanctions and reinforced air defense support from allies.
Hungary’s Role as Neutral Ground
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed the announcement of the meeting, calling it “great news for the peace-loving people of the world.” A long-time advocate for negotiations with Moscow, Orbán said Europe must pursue “dialogue instead of arrogance” to end the war. Budapest’s position as host underscores Hungary’s role as one of the few EU states maintaining open communication with both Washington and Moscow.
A Shift in Trump’s Approach to Russia
Trump’s stance toward Russia has hardened in recent months. His last meeting with Putin in Alaska in August yielded no breakthrough, but since then he has emphasized Kyiv’s right to reclaim all its occupied territories — a notable shift from his earlier calls for territorial concessions.
The upcoming Budapest summit signals a renewed US attempt to restart peace efforts while balancing pressure on both Moscow and Kyiv. Whether the talks produce results or further tension remains uncertain, but they mark the most direct engagement between the two powers in months.
Trump’s planned meeting with Putin in Hungary adds a new dimension to the stalled Ukraine peace process. For Southeast Asian observers — particularly in Indonesia and Singapore — the development highlights how global diplomacy continues to influence energy prices, trade routes, and geopolitical stability. The world will be watching whether Budapest becomes a turning point or another missed opportunity in the search for peace.
Sources: BBC (2025) , Al Jazeera (2025)
Keywords: Trump Putin Meeting, Ukraine Peace Talks, Hungary Summit, Zelensky Visit, Russia Ukraine War, Tomahawk Missiles
