Putin signals potential 'peace summit' in Budapest
Photo: Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin did not rule out that talks between Russia and the US could lead to a "peace summit" in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
The Kremlin leader made the statement during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Putin thanked the Hungarian leader for offering his country’s capital as a diplomatic venue.
"If during our talks it comes to using Budapest as a venue, I would be very glad and want to thank you for your willingness to support this," Putin said.
Orbán’s visit to Moscow
On Friday, November 28, a Hungarian delegation led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arrived in the Kremlin for talks with Putin. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also accompanied Orbán to Moscow.
Before the meeting with the Kremlin leader, Orbán said that the main goal of his visit was to ensure Hungary’s energy security.
During the meeting, the prime minister immediately raised the topic of Ukraine and complained about the "consequences of the war for Hungary."
He stated that Hungary is ready to provide a venue for negotiations regarding Ukraine.
Background on the canceled Putin-Trump meeting
Following a phone call on October 16, US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had considered a personal meeting in Hungary, publicly supported by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Budapest even began preparations for the summit.
However, within a few days, the US announced that the process was paused due to the parties’ lack of readiness.
On October 22, Trump officially canceled the meeting, explaining that it would only make sense if there were real prospects for a peace agreement. Putin, on the other hand, said the talks had only been postponed.
