Trump announces Hungary summit with Putin amid Russia-Ukraine war stalemate
By bellecarter // 2025-10-20
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  • President Donald Trump revealed plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, following a "productive" phone call. The summit aims to break the deadlock in the Russia-Ukraine war, though skepticism remains due to past failed negotiations.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington seeking advanced military aid, including long-range Tomahawk missiles—a move Russia warns would severely damage U.S.-Russia relations. Trump hinted he may approve missile sales if Russia refuses meaningful negotiations.
  • Just before Zelensky's visit, Russia launched its largest drone and missile assault in over a month, targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure with 300+ drones and 37 missiles. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to accuse the U.S. of feeding Ukraine biased intelligence.
  • The White House is reviewing a Senate bill proposing 500 percent tariffs on third-party purchases of Russian oil and gas, aimed at crippling Moscow's revenue. Sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, the bill could advance within 30 days, signaling tougher sanctions as leverage in negotiations.
  • Trump's strategy balances direct diplomacy with Putin while arming Ukraine, reflecting his campaign promise to end the war swiftly. However, analysts warn that supplying Tomahawks would require extensive training, delaying battlefield impact, while Putin shows no signs of retreating. The Budapest summit could either break the stalemate or lead to further escalation.
In a bid to break the deadlock in the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday, Oct. 16, that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, following what he called a "very productive" phone call between the two leaders. The announcement comes just one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at the White House to press for increased military aid, including long-range missiles that could escalate tensions with Moscow. Trump framed the upcoming summit as a potential turning point in the nearly four-year conflict, comparing diplomatic efforts to his recent Middle East ceasefire success. Yet skepticism remains high, given past failed negotiations and Russia's continued military assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure. Meanwhile, Trump has floated the possibility of supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles—a move the Kremlin warns would severely damage U.S.-Russia relations. Trump's planned meeting with Putin follows months of stalled peace talks, with both sides accusing the other of bad-faith negotiations. In a social media post, Trump said the two leaders agreed that high-level advisors—led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—would meet first, followed by direct talks in Budapest. "President Putin and I will then meet in an agreed-upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this 'inglorious' war between Russia and Ukraine to an end," Trump wrote. The Kremlin confirmed the call was initiated by Putin, who reportedly warned Trump against supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles. Russian aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversation as "frank and trusting," though Moscow continues to accuse Washington of feeding Ukraine biased intelligence. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains under relentless bombardment. Zelensky reported Thursday that Russia launched over 300 drones and 37 missiles in overnight attacks—part of a sustained campaign targeting energy infrastructure. Kyiv has repeatedly urged Western allies to provide advanced weaponry, including long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russian territory.

Zelensky's White House visit: A plea for weapons

Zelensky's Friday meeting with Trump marks their fourth face-to-face discussion this year. While initial talks were tense, relations have since warmed, with Trump acknowledging Ukraine's need for stronger defenses. The Ukrainian leader is expected to push for expedited delivery of Patriot missile systems and Tomahawk cruise missiles—a request complicated by Putin's warnings. Trump has publicly entertained the idea, suggesting he could authorize the sale if Russia refuses meaningful negotiations. However, military analysts caution that deploying Tomahawks—which have a range of nearly 1,000 miles—would require extensive training and logistical support, delaying their battlefield impact. Some experts argue Ukraine would benefit more from immediate shipments of mid-range missiles like ATACMS or ERAMs, which could still pressure Russian forces near the front lines. Behind the scenes, the White House is reportedly reviewing a Senate bill proposing drastic economic measures against Russia, including a 500 percent tariff on third-party purchases of Russian oil and gas. Sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the legislation aims to choke Moscow's revenue streams by penalizing buyers like China and India. Though Trump has not yet endorsed the bill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled it could advance within 30 days. The administration has privately engaged with lawmakers on technical revisions, suggesting growing interest in tougher sanctions—a potential bargaining chip ahead of the Hungary summit. Trump's dual-track approach—diplomacy with Putin while arming Ukraine—reflects his campaign promise to end the war swiftly. Yet history casts doubt on quick resolutions: past ceasefires have collapsed amid mutual accusations and Putin shows no signs of retreating. The Budapest summit could either mark a breakthrough or another diplomatic dead end, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. For now, the specter of expanded U.S. arms shipments and sanctions hangs over negotiations, raising the stakes for all sides. As Trump told reporters this week: "First we have to get Russia done." Whether that means peace or prolonged conflict remains to be seen. Watch the video below that talks about how dissatisfied Trump was with Putin a few weeks ago. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com DailySabah.com ABC7.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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