Trump to meet Putin in Budapest after “great progress” phone call

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest following what he described as “great progress” during a recent phone call.

The announcement comes a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet Trump at the White House to push for American-made Tomahawk missiles.

Trump did not provide a specific date for the Budapest meeting, which would mark his second encounter with Putin since returning to office. The two leaders previously met in Alaska in August, but no breakthrough was achieved in ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I believe great progress was made with today's telephone conversation,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

He added, “We will meet in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this 'inglorious' War, between Russia and Ukraine, to an end.”

Trump also indicated that top US and Russian officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would hold “initial meetings” next week at a location yet to be determined.

The president’s comments signal a continued swing in his approach to Putin, after he recently expressed frustration with the Kremlin leader over his refusal to negotiate a peace deal.

- Ukraine’s missile request in focus -

No immediate response came from the Kremlin or from President Zelenskyy ahead of his Friday meeting with Trump, which a senior Ukrainian official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) will focus on “Tomahawks.”

Trump is considering Ukraine’s request for US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) and could strike deep inside Russia.

He said over the weekend that he might raise the issue directly with Putin. “I might talk to him, I might say, 'Look, if this war is not going to get settled, I'm going to send them Tomahawks.' I may say that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the Middle East.

“The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon, and honestly, Russia does not need that,” he added.

Trump noted on Wednesday that the Ukrainians “want to go offensive” and that discussions would cover Kyiv’s request for the missiles.

- Past tensions and warming relations -

Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have improved since February, following a tense televised meeting at the White House in which Trump told the Ukrainian leader: “You don't have the cards.”

It remains uncertain how Zelenskyy will respond to Trump’s apparent move toward a renewed dialogue with Putin.

Tomahawks would significantly enhance Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, flying just above the ground at near-supersonic speeds to evade radar. The US has used the missiles in conflicts from the 1991 Gulf War to this year’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.

Senior Ukrainian officials visiting Washington this week also met with representatives of US weapon manufacturers, including Raytheon, which produces Tomahawk missiles.

- Ongoing conflict and regional tensions -

With the war now in its fourth year, Russia has launched renewed attacks on energy facilities in eastern Ukraine, continuing its pattern of targeting Kyiv’s power network during winter.

Energy supply has remained a central factor in the conflict, with Trump noting Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that New Delhi would halt purchases of Russian oil.

Trump has also indicated he wants to increase pressure on Moscow following the ceasefire he brokered last week between 'Israel' and Hamas in Gaza.