Putin and Trump make surprise dash to Hungary, with Zelensky hot on their heels – what on earth is brewing?

Following last year’s encounter between Trump and Putin in Alaska, whispers emerged at year’s end of a possible peace deal between Ukraine and Russia being inked in Budapest. Few held their breath for it then, not even our eternal optimist, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who struck a sceptical note. Yet now, it seems the stars may align for this momentous, soothing accord to be sealed before Hungary’s elections, potentially delivering victory to Orbán’s lot. This piece was penned on 1 April.

Shock twist: both Putin and Trump come to Hungary

Earlier reports suggested only the American pope and Vice President JD Vance would grace Hungary around Easter. Clarity has dawned: Trump himself is due imminently. No decision yet on the airport welcome, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is otherwise engaged receiving President Putin’s official jet, where his chum Sergei Lavrov awaits with open arms. Szijjártó had earlier signalled his eternal readiness to serve at Lavrov’s pleasure.

• Szijjártó-Lavrov leaked phone call: EU, NATO leaders shocked by deferential tone, “bizarre” relationship

The Russian-American presidential summit was floated at last year’s Alaska summit; after much foot-dragging, it appears a goer.

Adding spice, Ukrainian President Zelensky has piped up at once: despite his strained relations with Orbán, he’s bound for Hungary. Sources say he’s personally scribbled to the Constitutional Protection Office, assuring them his car will carry neither cash nor gold.

• Seized Ukrainian cash, gold transport’s origin, destination, use and goal can be revealed soon

Zelensky motoring in is intriguing enough, but press whispers reveal his team insisted: Putin now travels not just with bodyguards, but combat drones. No risks of a rogue drone mistaking the Ukrainian presidential jet for target practice.

A summit of many angles

These high-level huddles won’t unfold in the Carmelite headquarters (PM Orbán’s office building), which is too poky and spartan for such exalted guests. The Hungarian National Bank and the Orbán family’s Hatvanpuszta estate were floated, but experts deemed both cramped and shabby. Putin has also stipulated no shared airspace with President Zelensky during talks.

Enter the Danube. While the Russians parley with the Americans on the Buda side, Zelensky and his entourage cool their heels on Pest. Urgent messages? A speedboat will shuttle between banks. Delegations communicate solely by handwritten notes, with Orbán barred from doodling on the paper.

If you haven’t clocked it yet, you’re reading our 1 April special, crafted to coax a smile from our readers. Laughter, after all, banishes the daily grind, especially in this topsy-turvy world.

For serious fare, keep tabs on Daily News Hungary and our Hungarian sibling. In addition, here are two further articles of ours on global affairs:

• Reuters: Trump fears backing potential loser Orbán; Fidesz eyes coalition with Huxit-supporting Mi Hazánk
• Can Hungary lose NATO, EU membership due to its ‘too close’ Russia ties?