Trump–Putin summit in Budapest back in Kremlin’s plans?
Plans for a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest have resurfaced, according to recent statements from both Moscow and Trump himself.
Russians think it is inevitable
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that such a summit would “undoubtedly be necessary at some point,” but only after detailed and thorough preparations. He added that Washington shared this view, though he declined to predict whether the meeting could still take place this year.
According to Telex‘s article, Donald Trump also addressed the matter, confirming that he would discuss the possible Budapest meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who, as he put it, “knows Vladimir Putin very well.”
The American president noted that further information about the potential meeting — including whether it will happen and when — would be shared later. Trump had previously cancelled a planned meeting with Putin on 23 October, saying he “did not feel the timing was right,” but stressed that it would “definitely” take place in the future.
Orbán is willing to host a summit in Budapest
Orbán, meanwhile, reiterated his commitment to hosting what he has described as a “peace summit” in Budapest. During his October visit to the Vatican, the Hungarian prime minister declared that “what is delayed will come,” insisting that the eventual peace agreement between Russia and the United States would be signed in the Hungarian capital.
His remarks reinforced Hungary’s ambition to play a more prominent diplomatic role on the international stage, even as other countries — such as Serbia — have expressed interest in hosting the high-profile meeting themselves.
Orbán: It is hard not to use Russian energy
In his Vatican interview, Orbán also touched upon Hungary’s ongoing dependence on Russian energy. He emphasised that, due to the country’s landlocked geography, it cannot completely detach itself from Russian oil, as crude can only be delivered via pipelines.
According to Orbán, both the United States and the European Union should understand that certain member states cannot easily end their reliance on Russian energy supplies without serious economic consequences.