It was on Thursday that Axios and AFP reported that Trump and Putin would talk, ahead of the US president's meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyj.

On the agenda for the meeting with Zelensky are the Tomahawk missiles, which are highly sought after by Ukraine.

Then it wasn't long before Trump himself confirmed the conversation – while talking to Putin.

Live reporting calls

Because just before 5:30 p.m., Trump himself stated that the conversation was ongoing.

"I am speaking with President Putin now. The conversation is ongoing, it is long, and I will report the contents, as will President Putin, when it is concluded. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote on Truth Social, during the conversation.

Meeting in Budapest

At 7:15 p.m. Swedish time, Trump states that the phone call is over and writes that it was “very productive.” He claims that Putin congratulated him on the “great achievement of creating peace in the Middle East.”

" I actually think that success in the Middle East will help us in our negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. President Putin also thanked the First Lady, Melania, for her commitment to children. He was very grateful and said that this work will continue. ”, writes Trump.

The two world leaders are said to have discussed possible trade between Russia and the United States once the war in Ukraine is over.

According to Trump, their advisers will meet for a meeting next week, which will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. After that, Trump and Putin will meet in Budapest.

" I think great progress was made with today's phone call. ”, writes Trump.

Orbán: We are ready

Hungarian President Viktor Orbán says the country is ready to receive the presidents.

“The planned meeting between the American and Russian presidents is good news for peace-loving people around the world. We are ready!”, Orbán writes on X.

Zelenskyy's hope

If Ukraine were to gain access to Tomahawk, it could change the conditions for the war, and Zelensky's hope is that it could force President Putin to the negotiating table.

The Kremlin has consistently claimed that giving Ukraine access to Tomahawk missiles would escalate the war and damage the relationship between the United States and Russia.