U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in Budapest, Hungary, within the next two weeks for a high-stakes summit reminiscent of the Alaska talks, with discussions focused on ending the war in Ukraine and reshaping U.S.–Russia relations. The meeting, hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, comes as Hungary positions itself as a rare European venue open to both leaders, with Orbán declaring his nation “the only place in Europe” where such a meeting can happen. According to the Kremlin, the agenda will center on a potential Ukraine ceasefire, territorial settlements, and possible security guarantees, while Trump is also expected to address sanctions, energy cooperation, and U.S. involvement in postwar reconstruction. Putin is likely to press for recognition of Russia’s control over occupied regions and relief from Western sanctions, while Trump seeks to claim progress toward a “real peace deal.” However, many European allies and Ukrainian officials are wary, fearing that major decisions about Ukraine’s future might be made without Kyiv at the table, potentially legitimizing Russian aggression. The summit’s location adds symbolic weight — Hungary’s willingness to host Putin despite his ICC arrest warrant underscores Orbán’s defiance of EU norms and his growing role as a geopolitical bridge. Analysts say the meeting could either mark a diplomatic breakthrough or deepen divisions within NATO and the EU, as both Trump and Putin aim to project strength while the world watches whether their negotiation delivers peace or merely politics. #US#President#DonaldTrump#Russia#VladimirPutin#NATO#Hungary
