Trump’s talk with Putin and planned Hungary meeting surprise Zelenskyy - Axios
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation yesterday with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, after which he announced a meeting with him in Hungary. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was reportedly surprised by this, according to Axios.
Axios notes that Zelenskyy, who arrived in Washington on Thursday afternoon, had been very optimistic in recent days about his planned meeting with Trump and the US president’s willingness to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.
However, shortly after Zelenskyy landed at Andrews Air Force Base, the Ukrainian president and his team were surprised to see Trump’s statement that he had spoken with Putin and agreed to meet him in Hungary.
Axios noted that Hungary is the least friendly country toward Ukraine in the EU.
Trump-Putin meeting
On October 16, Trump spoke with Putin and announced that a new summit between them would take place, this time in Hungary, within the next two weeks. The main topic will be the possibility of ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to the US leader, his conversation with Putin yesterday made significant progress. He also said he would discuss the call with Zelenskyy.
The meeting between the US and Ukrainian leaders is scheduled for today. Based on public statements and media reports, the discussions are expected to cover the possible transfer of long-range Tomahawk missiles, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, and even Ukraine’s plans for a counteroffensive.
However, after speaking with Putin, Trump made an ambiguous statement about the Tomahawk missiles. He said the US has plenty of these missiles, but they are needed for America, and the country cannot deplete its stockpile, even though he had previously indicated that a decision to supply Tomahawks to Ukraine was effectively made.
Later, during the night, Zelenskyy posted that every step to strengthen Ukraine by its partners will push Russia to end the war - likely a reaction to Trump’s statement.
