Trump set to meet Putin in Budapest for second round of talks to end 'inglorious' Ukraine war
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Thursday, October 16, that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, for a second round of peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, revealing that the decision followed what he described as a “very productive” telephone conversation with Putin.
This post comes just one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit the White House, where discussions are expected to include whether the US will approve Tomahawk cruise missiles for Ukraine.
I have just concluded my telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, and it was a very productive one. President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East, something that, he said, has been dreamed of…
— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 16, 2025
Trump and Putin plan Budapest summit
According to Trump, both sides have agreed to hold high-level preparatory meetings next week, to be led on the US side by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“At the conclusion of the call, we agreed that there will be a meeting of our High Level Advisors next week,” Trump wrote.
“The United States’ initial meetings will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio… President Putin and I will then meet in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary,” he further penned.
The two leaders hope to advance discussions toward ending what Trump called the “inglorious war” between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump claims ‘great progress' in latest call with Putin
Trump also said that Putin expressed appreciation for First Lady Melania Trump’s humanitarian work with children, adding that the Russian leader “thanked the First Lady” and pledged continued cooperation on such efforts.
Regarding the meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump said, “President Zelenskyy and I will be meeting tomorrow, in the Oval Office, where we will discuss my conversation with President Putin, and much more."
He concluded with, “I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation."
Putin envoy welcomes move toward dialogue
Shortly after Trump’s post, Putin’s Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev shared the announcement on X and called the planned meeting “positive” and “important for the world.”
In a follow-up post, Dmitriev accused “warmongers” from the United Kingdom and the European Union of trying to derail peace prospects.
"UK and EU warmongers try very very hard to derail peace prospects. But, dialogue and peace and the US-Russia cooperation will prevail," he wrote.
UK and EU warmongers try very very hard to derail peace prospects. But dialogue and peace and the US-Russia cooperation will prevail. 🕊️
— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 16, 2025
Trump and Putin previously met in Alaska in August for an initial round of talks that lasted for nearly three hours but failed to yield progress toward a ceasefire.
The renewed diplomatic push comes just days after Israel and Hamas accepted Trump’s Middle East peace proposal, resulting in a ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners.
Trump hailed this development as a historic milestone for global peace, even though follow-up details are contested and evolving.
He wrote in his Truth Social post that, "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."
