Budapest Trump–Putin Summit Uncertain, EU Pushback

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is credited by the Kremlin with securing Budapest as the proposed venue for a potential Trump–Putin summit and has argued the talks could help Hungary’s economic recovery by easing energy costs and inflation. President Trump said a meeting could happen within two weeks, but U.S. officials and the Kremlin have since said there are no immediate plans or firm timeframe, and a planned preparatory Lavrov–Rubio meeting may be delayed. Hosting Vladimir Putin has provoked diplomatic unease among EU leaders — Putin is wanted by the ICC — while Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would attend if invited. Ahead of an EU summit expected to approve a 19th sanctions package on Russia, Kremlin-friendly leaders such as Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Orbán have threatened to block measures unless concessions are made, notably for Slovakia’s auto sector. Orbán’s past obstruction of unanimity on Ukraine-related aid and asset-seizure proposals, and reports he may be partially absent with Fico representing Hungary in some discussions, could further complicate consensus; officials caution serious preparation is needed and that hopes for an imminent breakthrough should be tempered.