The White House hopes that the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will agree to participate in the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Budapest. This was reported by the correspondent CBS News Nancy Cordes, citing White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt.

"Based on what Caroline Leavitt said, there is still a possibility, at least that's what the White House hopes, that Zelensky could be included in these negotiations," she said.

In addition, Leavitt, speaking to reporters, said that Trump will ask Zelenskyy to join their meeting with Putin today, October 17.

"Presidents Trump and Putin discussed the possibility of meeting in Budapest, and the American leader will discuss this possibility with President Zelensky when he is here at the White House," the White House press secretary said.

Zelenskyy and Trump meeting - important news

We would like to remind you that today, October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with American leader Donald Trump in Washington. Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanyshyna shared with journalists that leaders will discuss, in particular, Kyiv's request for the supply of Tomahawk missiles and other weapons, as well as the strengthening of Ukrainian air defense.

Stefanyshyna also said that before the Trump-Zelensky meeting, the US and Ukrainian teams will hold bilateral talks. She noted that the military groups have been working for two weeks, and the prime minister is interacting with financial partners to coordinate efforts.

Bloomberg also reported, citing sources, that on the eve of the meeting between Zelensky and Trump, the Ukrainian delegation offered to share with the US expertise in drone technology and production in exchange for supplies of American weapons and energy resources. According to the sources, American and Ukrainian officials are also discussing the possibility of exporting liquefied natural gas from the United States to Ukraine.