Donald Trump confirmed a bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin in Budapest, mentioning that he will continue to communicate with Ukrainian President Zelensky.

American President Donald Trump announced that he will meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest, emphasizing that the meeting will be exclusively bilateral, but that the United States will maintain contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump had a two-hour phone conversation with Putin before the announcement, and the meeting is scheduled against the backdrop of tensions between Moscow and Kiev, with the aim of boosting negotiations to end hostilities. Trump acknowledged that he is concerned about possible manipulation by Putin, but expressed confidence that he desires a peace agreement. Zelensky stated that Trump is well-informed about the situation on the front and that the two leaders are beginning to understand each other. Trump reiterated his desire to mediate and facilitate dialogue between the parties involved in the conflict.