Tug-of-war over the major Zelensky-Putin summit! US President Donald Trump is pushing for an early meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Even a one-on-one meeting between the two is being discussed to negotiate an end to the war. But whether this will actually happen—and where—is something that has been the subject of behind-the-scenes machinations for days.
The Secret Service is said to be already preparing a meeting in Hungary's capital, Budapest, according to Politico (which, like BILD, is owned by Axel Springer). The suggestion was made during a conversation between Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (62), according to the news portal Bloomberg. However, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has not yet confirmed the information.
According to BILD, Switzerland, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are also under discussion. Trump reportedly named the three countries specifically at the White House on Monday evening.
The Kremlin did not comment on the location speculation. Instead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that they were open in principle to any format for talks – but at the same time dismissed hopes of a quick meeting:"All contacts involving the heads of state must be prepared with the utmost care."
And Putin's advisor Yuri Ushakov (78) made it clear that Trump and Putin had discussed the current direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv being conducted at a higher level than before. This means: no agreement on a Zelensky-Putin meeting.
Kremlin wants to gain time
The Kremlin's goal: to stall the West and continue advancing on the battlefield. On Wednesday night, Putin bombed Ukraine again. Fourteen people were injured in the Sumy region. One was also injured in Odessa.
Zelenskyy accused Putin of bluffing just last week, saying the Russian ruler was simply not interested in ending the war. Putin himself has repeatedly made it clear that he will only meet with Zelenskyy if he accepts Russia's demands – the subjugation of Ukraine and Russian rule.
