Washington: In a surprise diplomatic initiative, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, signaling a renewed American effort to end the war in Ukraine.
Productive Phone Call Rekindles Dialogue
Trump revealed that “great progress” was made during a recent phone call with Putin — their first conversation since an August meeting in Alaska that yielded no breakthrough. “It was a very productive call,” Trump wrote on TruthSocial, adding that Putin congratulated him and the United States on achieving “the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East.”
Focus Shifts to Ukraine After Middle East Ceasefire
With a fragile ceasefire holding between Israel and Hamas, Trump said his administration’s focus has now turned toward ending the Ukraine conflict — a central promise of his 2024 campaign. He believes shifting geopolitical realities in the Middle East could open new opportunities for diplomacy with Moscow.
Zelenskyy’s Washington Visit and Tomahawk Talks
The announcement comes just a day before Trump is scheduled to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Zelenskyy has been pressing Washington to approve the sale of Tomahawk missiles, arguing the weapons would bolster Ukraine’s position in any future peace talks with Russia.
Trump hinted he may use the missile deal as leverage. “Do they want Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” he remarked earlier this week, suggesting that military aid could hinge on Russia’s readiness to negotiate.
Did the Tomahawks Trigger Putin’s Call?
Speculation is growing that Thursday’s Trump-Putin phone call was influenced by America’s ongoing debate over supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga claimed that “even the discussion” about the missiles “forced Putin back into dialogue with America.”
On October 12, Zelenskyy also said that the possibility of receiving Tomahawks could pressure Russia into peace. “We see that Russia is afraid the Americans may give us Tomahawks — this kind of pressure may work for peace,” he stated.
Budapest Meeting Could Redefine War’s Trajectory
While no official date has been announced, the planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest could mark the most significant diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine began.
Analysts say the outcome of the meeting — and the fate of the Tomahawk missile decision — could reshape not only the war’s direction but also the broader global balance of power.
