As a part of a brand new diplomatic push, President Trump introduced plans for a high-stakes summit with President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, with the goal of halting the escalating battle in Ukraine.
The announcement got here after a “very productive” two-hour cellphone name on Oct. 16, one other formidable try by President Trump to dealer peace amid rising tensions.
President Putin shortly agreed to the venue, signaling potential momentum for the battle that has claimed tens of 1000’s of lives because the invasion of Russia in 2022. As President Trump prepares to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White Home, the query on everybody’s lips is: Can this Trump-Putin dialogue lastly finish the battle?
President Trump and Putin’s cellphone name ignites hopes of ending battle in Ukraine
The cellphone dialog between Trump and Putin coated points similar to peace negotiations with Ukraine, postwar commerce between america and Russia, and the ceasefire in Gaza, amongst different matters. Trump known as the assembly “very helpful,” and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov congratulated Putin on Gaza and expressed Russia’s issues about U.S. Tomahawk missiles being despatched to Ukraine.
No cease-fire schedule has emerged, however the advisory assembly was arrange primarily based on President Trump’s dissatisfaction with the failed Alaska summit in August 2025. That three-hour rally ended up yielding zero concessions from President Putin and led to President Trump redirecting to Budapest. Specialists warn that ending the battle relies on affect, not optics.
Zelenskyy-Trump assembly linked to Putin’s battle technique
Mr. Zelensky’s go to to the White Home on Thursday, October 16, is instantly associated to the announcement of a Trump-Putin assembly, and Mr. Trump is predicted to temporary Mr. Zelensky in regards to the assembly. President Zelenskiy has known as for Tomahawk missiles able to hitting Russia 2,500 kilometers. President Putin known as them “escalatory” through the dialogue and deemed them a risk to peace. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an apologist for President Vladimir Putin, cheered Budapest as “nice information for peace” regardless of his veto on EU support.
Dangers and advantages of Trump and Putin’s battle diplomacy
Will the Budapest summit finish the Ukraine battle? Current polls present 70% doubt a fast decision, and analysts anticipate restricted progress. Trump hopes to experience the crest of a wave with success within the Gaza Strip, however Putin is more likely to stall as he seeks concessions. A direct assembly between Trump and Putin dangers undermining NATO cohesion and emboldening Russia, as seen within the Alaska fiasco. However the postwar commerce revival, at pre-invasion ranges of $30 billion, leaves fairly a carrot dangling. “Putin needs a sphere of affect, and President Trump dangers enabling that,” mentioned Evelyn Farkas of the McCain Institute. With battle fatigue mounting and winter approaching, the Budapest assembly might redefine alliances or deepen rifts.