17.10.2025 09:05
U.S. President Trump called Putin before his meeting with Ukrainian leader Zelensky at the White House. Trump announced that he would meet with Putin in Budapest "within two weeks."
The White House spokesperson announced that U.S. President Trump will have a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin today.
The timing of the Trump-Putin phone call, just before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting at the White House tomorrow, drew attention. Trump announced on his Truth Social account that he would be speaking with Putin. Trump wrote, "I am talking to Putin. The conversation is ongoing, a long discussion. I will provide information about the content once it's over, and Putin will too."
WHITE HOUSE: IT WAS PRODUCTIVE
The White House announced that the nearly two-hour meeting had concluded, stating, "The meeting went well and was productive. We agreed to hold a meeting next week with senior officials participating. After the senior officials' contacts, a new Trump-Putin meeting may take place," it said.
The White House spokesperson stated that Trump still believes it is possible to bring Putin and Zelensky together.
TRUMP: WE WILL MEET IN BUDAPEST
After the phone call, U.S. President Trump stated that he had a very productive phone conversation with Putin and that Putin congratulated him on Middle East peace.
Trump wrote: "Our meeting with Putin was constructive. Our Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent us at the meeting with senior officials. We also discussed steps to be taken regarding trade between the U.S. and Russia after the end of the war in Ukraine. President Putin and I will meet in Budapest, Hungary, at a place we agreed upon to end this shameful war between Russia and Ukraine."
Trump mentioned during the phone call that he believed "great progress had been made," stating, "We will also discuss this matter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky."
In his last post, Donald Trump announced that he would likely meet with Putin "within the next two weeks."
KREMLIN: QUICK PREPARATIONS WILL BE MADE
The Kremlin confirmed the summit in a statement. Stating that the meeting was productive, the Kremlin used the expression, "The leaders agreed to stay in contact." It was noted that both countries would make quick preparations for possible meetings in Budapest. The statement indicated that the phone call took place at Russia's request, adding, "The Budapest proposal came from Trump. President Putin accepted this proposal."
"TOMAHAWK WILL CREATE A CRISIS"
In the statement, it was noted that Putin said Russia holds the strategic initiative on the Ukrainian front during the meeting, and "The issue of the possible shipment of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine was also discussed." The statement mentioned that Putin told Trump, "The missiles will not change the course of the war, but they will harm relations with the U.S."
ZELENSKY: MOVED TO ACTION UPON HEARING ABOUT THE MISSILES
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also made a statement regarding the meeting. Zelensky commented, "Russia accelerated its efforts to speed up dialogue upon hearing developments regarding Tomahawk missiles."
TRUMP: A FEW THOUSAND TOMAHAWK DIDN'T PLEASE HIM
In his latest statement regarding the Tomahawk discussion, U.S. President Trump said, "I asked Putin on the phone, what do you think about not sending a few thousand Tomahawks to the other side? He didn't like that idea."
CAN REACH DEEP INTO RUSSIA
On Tuesday, Trump stated that he could allow the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles have a range of between 1,600 and 2,500 kilometers and a powerful warhead weighing between 400 and 450 kilograms. Ukraine is currently using missiles provided by Western countries with a range of about 250 kilometers.
LAST MEETING IN ALASKA
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin last met on August 15 at a summit held in the U.S. state of Alaska. At the summit, U.S. and Russian leaders could not reach an agreement on a peace or ceasefire deal regarding the war in Ukraine. After the summit, U.S. President Trump stated at a press conference that there was a consensus on "many issues," but no agreement was reached. Russian President Putin also noted that the discussions were constructive, stating, "We had good and direct contacts with Mr. Trump."
HAMAS: ISRAEL IS BLOCKING
On the other hand, Hamas responded to U.S. President Trump's accusations that they "did not comply with the ceasefire agreement," stating, "We need time to deliver the bodies of Israeli hostages. Some are trapped in tunnels closed by Israeli attacks, and some are under the rubble of collapsed buildings. We need equipment to retrieve the bodies. Israel is blocking the entry of this equipment into the region."
ORBÁN: GREAT NEWS
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made a statement regarding the expected meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban said, "The planned meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents is great news for peace-loving people around the world. We are ready. I just spoke with President Trump on the phone. Preparations for the U.S.-Russia peace summit are ongoing. Hungary is an island of peace."