Trump Plans Meeting with Putin in Budapest to Address Ukraine Conflict

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While a specific date for the meeting has not yet been established, Trump expressed optimism about recent discussions with Putin, stating on social media, “I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation.”

The proposed meeting follows a previous encounter in Alaska in August, which did not yield significant diplomatic progress. Before Trump and Putin convene, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will engage with Russian representatives next week, although the location for that meeting remains undetermined.

Trump’s upcoming discussions come just ahead of his scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on March 15, 2024. Zelensky has been advocating for the US to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, which would enhance Ukraine’s ability to target deeper into Russian territory. The Ukrainian president argues that such capability would compel Putin to take negotiations more seriously.

In remarks to reporters during his recent visit to Israel, Trump indicated that he plans to raise the issue of Tomahawks in his discussions with Putin, suggesting that the prospect of these missiles being deployed could influence Russian actions. “Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” Trump stated, underscoring his strategy to use military support as leverage in negotiations.

The backdrop to these diplomatic efforts includes a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which Trump has highlighted as a turning point for shifting his focus towards ending the war in Ukraine. The conflicts in both regions are central to Trump’s campaign for the 2024 presidential election, where he has criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of international affairs.

Despite previous obstacles in persuading Putin to engage in direct talks with Zelensky, Trump expresses renewed confidence following the recent developments in the Middle East. He remarked, “Interestingly we made progress today, because of what’s happened in the Middle East,” suggesting a potential shift in dynamics that could aid in addressing the Ukraine crisis.

Trump’s upcoming meeting with Zelensky will mark their fourth in-person discussion this year, reflecting a commitment to maintaining open lines of communication. The prospect of supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine has been met with strong opposition from Moscow, with Putin deeming such a move a “red line” that could further strain US-Russian relations.

Nevertheless, Trump has shown determination in this matter, stating, “He’d like to have Tomahawks,” in reference to Zelensky’s request, while noting, “We have a lot of Tomahawks.”

As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the outcomes of the upcoming diplomatic engagements, particularly the anticipated meeting in Budapest, which could play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Ukraine conflict.