'Great progress': Trump announces new summit with Putin in Budapest
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (collage by RBC-Ukraine)
US President Donald Trump called his telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin productive and announced a new meeting between them, according to Trump's post on Truth Social.
"At the conclusion of the call, we agreed that there will be a meeting of our high-level advisors next week. The United States' initial meetings will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with various other people, to be designated. A meeting location is to be determined," the American leader stated.
Trump added that he will meet with Putin in Budapest to discuss the possibility of ending the "inglorious" war between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the American leader, Putin congratulated him on achieving peace in the Middle East during the conversation.
"I actually believe that the success in the Middle East will help in our negotiation in attaining an end to the war with Russia/Ukraine," Trump stated.
He emphasized that he discussed with the Russian President trade between Russia and the United States after the war in Ukraine ends.
"President Zelenskyy and I will be meeting tomorrow, in the Oval Office, where we will discuss my conversation with President Putin, and much more. I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation," Trump said.
Trump–Putin phone calls
US media earlier reported that Trump planned to speak with Putin before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington.
This is not the first time Trump has spoken with Putin shortly before or even during visits by Ukrainian or European allies.
Following the White House meeting on August 18, which included Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump called Putin to arrange a potential leaders’ summit.
Initially, Russia supported the idea and advocated for a bilateral format, but due to sabotage by the Kremlin, these plans were thwarted.
Zelenskyy's visit to the United States
Tomorrow, October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump will meet at the White House.
The Ukrainian delegation arrived in Washington earlier this week to lay the groundwork for the leaders' talks.
According to Politico, the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump is expected to focus on the possibility of Ukrainian forces moving into an offensive phase. An unnamed senior Ukrainian official told the outlet that the next steps of the Armed Forces depend on the weapons they receive.
