Trump, Putin hold ‘productive’ phone call, plan Budapest meeting to discuss Ukraine peace

New Delhi: In a major diplomatic development, US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to discuss the future of US-Russia relations and the ongoing Ukraine war. The conversation, described by both sides as "productive,” also touched upon trade prospects once the conflict ends.

Trump announced the details of the call in a post on Truth Social, saying, "I have just concluded my telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, and it was a very productive one. President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East, something that, he said, has been dreamed of for centuries. I actually believe that the Success in the Middle East will help in our negotiation in attaining an end to the War with Russia/Ukraine.”

The Republican leader noted that both countries spent "a great deal of time” discussing trade between Russia and the United States in a post-war context. Trump said the two leaders agreed to hold a meeting of "High Level Advisors” next week. "The United States’ initial meetings will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with various other people to be designated. A meeting location is to be determined. 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.

He also said that he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday. "President Zelenskyy and I will be meeting tomorrow in the Oval Office, where we will discuss my conversation with President Putin and much more. I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation,” Trump added.

After the exchange, Putin’s special envoy confirmed that the discussion was "productive” and that both sides had clearly outlined the next steps for potential peace talks.

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In recent weeks, Trump has signaled his intent to intensify diplomatic pressure on Moscow, urging US allies to reduce imports of Russian energy and suggesting he could approve Ukraine’s use of long-range Tomahawk missiles. These advanced weapons, capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, have been mentioned by Trump as possible leverage. "I might say, ‘Look, if the war’s not going to get settled, I may send them Tomahawks,’” he has said previously. Putin, however, has warned that sending Tomahawks to Kyiv "would signal the advent of a totally new stage” in the conflict and in Moscow’s relations with Washington.