US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had a “very productive” phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking the first direct dialogue between the two leaders since mid-August. According to Trump, both sides made “great progress” and agreed to hold an in-person meeting in Hungary in the coming weeks to continue discussions aimed at easing tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine.
The call, which Trump described as “extremely constructive,” comes at a sensitive time for global diplomacy. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the White House on Friday, where he is expected to press the US to provide Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory.
Trump and Putin Plan Summit in Budapest
Trump said that during the conversation, the two leaders discussed trade relations between Washington and Moscow “for the period after the war in Ukraine ends.” He also announced that high-level delegations from both countries would meet next week to prepare for the Budapest summit. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the American delegation, while Moscow is expected to send senior officials from its foreign and defense ministries.
In a statement released shortly after the call, the Kremlin confirmed the discussion and said both leaders had engaged in an “extremely frank and trustful” exchange. It added that work on organizing the summit would begin “immediately.”
Trump later told reporters that he expects to meet Putin “within two weeks,” although no specific date has been announced. The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, welcomed the planned talks. Orbán called the development “great news for peace-loving people around the world,” adding that “only dialogue can bring peace to our continent.”
Ukraine’s Reaction and Growing Tensions
Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, condemned Russia for launching overnight missile strikes on Ukrainian cities just hours before Putin’s call with Trump. “These assaults show Moscow’s real attitude toward peace,” she said in a statement to CBS. Stefanishyna added that Ukraine continues to urge stronger Western sanctions and more advanced weaponry to counter Russia’s aggression.
As he arrived in Washington, President Zelensky commented that “Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks,” suggesting that the potential delivery of US long-range missiles had motivated Russia to seek new talks.
Trump, however, seemed cautious about supplying Ukraine with additional Tomahawk missiles. “We can’t deplete our stockpile—we need them too,” he said when asked about the issue. “So I don’t know what we can do about that.”
A Renewed Push for Diplomacy
The upcoming summit in Hungary marks a renewed attempt by both sides to rebuild diplomatic communication after months of tension. The last time Trump and Putin met was at a summit in Alaska on August 15, a meeting that ended without major progress toward a ceasefire. The leaders spoke briefly afterward, but no formal communications between Washington and Moscow have been confirmed since then.
During his 2024 election campaign, Trump pledged that he could end the war in Ukraine “within days.” However, since returning to office, he has acknowledged that the conflict is “more complex and deeply rooted” than anticipated.
In recent months, Trump has taken a noticeably tougher stance on Moscow. Earlier in the summer, he warned Putin that the US would impose sweeping new sanctions if Russia failed to agree to a ceasefire within two weeks. Although the threat was not ultimately enforced, it underscored the shifting tone of Trump’s foreign policy.
Improved Relations with Kyiv
Relations between Washington and Kyiv have also evolved. After a tense Oval Office exchange in February—when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berated Zelensky on live television—ties between the two leaders have since improved significantly.
By September, Trump had publicly expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim all its occupied territories, stating that he believed Kyiv could “win all of Ukraine back in its original form.” This marked a sharp departure from his earlier calls for Ukraine to negotiate territorial concessions to Russia.
Zelensky’s upcoming White House visit will be his third since January and is expected to focus heavily on securing advanced weaponry, including Tomahawk missiles with a range of up to 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometers).
Global Reactions and Strategic Calculations
The planned Trump-Putin meeting has drawn cautious optimism from some global leaders and concern from others. European nations, weary of prolonged conflict, have voiced support for renewed dialogue. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán emphasized that “peace requires patience, strength, and humility,” urging Europe to move away from “arrogance and endless escalation.”
Meanwhile, India’s government has disputed Trump’s claim made earlier this week that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil. An Indian foreign ministry spokesperson stated they were “not aware of any such conversation” between the two leaders.
The issue highlights ongoing divisions within the global community over how best to pressure Russia economically. The US has repeatedly urged major economies—including India, China, and NATO allies—to curb purchases of Russian energy, a key source of revenue for the Kremlin.
The Path Forward
As Trump and Putin prepare for their upcoming summit, the stakes are high. The talks could mark a turning point in the long-running conflict if they lead to genuine progress toward peace. However, with continued Russian strikes in Ukraine and the uncertain fate of US military aid, significant challenges remain.
Trump remains optimistic, writing on Truth Social: “Great progress was made today. I look forward to continuing the conversation face-to-face.”
Whether this optimism translates into concrete results will depend on the delicate balance of diplomacy, strategy, and trust that both leaders must now navigate.