US Considering Budapest for Putin–Zelenskyy Talks

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The United States is considering organizing a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, according to several U.S. sources familiar with the plan.

The White House has not yet confirmed the exact location of the trilateral meeting, which would also include U.S. President Donald J. Trump as mediator, saying only that it is working to identify “a suitable location” for potential talks. However, it did acknowledge that Trump had discussed the meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Hungary, which borders Ukraine, has a strained relationship with Kyiv. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly blocked or delayed new EU aid packages for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. However, he maintains close ties with both Putin and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Putin agreed—in a call with President Trump—to meet with Zelenskyy “within the next two weeks,” though no venue was officially named.

Putin’s travel options are restricted since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him. Hungary earlier announced it would withdraw from the ICC, but the move will only take effect on June 2, 2026.

HUNGARY’S ICC DEFIANCE

Hungary has already shown defiance toward ICC rulings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Budapest on an official four-day trip from April 2–6, 2025, his first foreign visit after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest. Orbán invited Netanyahu to visit in November, just one day after the Hague-based tribunal issued the warrant.

Israel has condemned the ICC’s decision as politically motivated and antisemitic—a view echoed by Hungary’s government.

Hosting the summit would mark a diplomatic victory for Orbán, whose ruling Fidesz party faces a strong challenge from the opposition Tisza party ahead of upcoming elections expected in April next year, according to recent opinion polls. Orbán had previously said that Hungary would be prepared to mediate to end the war.

During the talks, Trump is expected to push for security guarantees for Ukraine, including defense cooperation with European allies, advanced air defense systems, and possibly a “reassurance force” to deter future Russian aggression.

However, Trump said Monday he would rule out deploying American troops to defend Ukraine from another Russian incursion, insisting that Europe must “front load” Ukraine’s security.

Additionally, ceasefire terms, territorial disputes, and closer U.S.–Europe cooperation are set to dominate the agenda, according to sources familiar with preparations. Trump has also argued that a peace deal could be signed without a ceasefire as a precondition.

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