Trump Putin Plan Second Summit Budapest Discuss Ukraine War

US President Donald Trump announced that a decision on holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest could come soon, following a "productive" phone call where they agreed to meet again. The summit's choice of Budapest, Hungary, has sparked concern among European and Ukrainian officials due to Hungary's pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's close ties to both leaders and his opposition to continued military aid to Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted that both Trump and Putin share a warm relationship with Orban, explaining the venue choice as a reflection of Hungary's independent stance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the selection of Budapest, criticizing Orban for blocking EU and NATO efforts supporting Ukraine. Trump indicated he might discuss providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles as leverage to bring Russia to peace talks, a move Zelensky supports but experts warn could take years to implement effectively. The summit aims to explore ways to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, with high-level advisor meetings planned before the leaders' face-to-face encounter.