Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to participate in a proposed peace summit in Hungary alongside former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, provided he receives an official invitation. This announcement comes in the wake of a phone conversation between Trump and Putin, after which the two leaders declared their intention to hold talks aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. The summit is tentatively scheduled to take place in Budapest within the coming weeks.
During a press briefing on Monday, Zelensky addressed the idea of such a meeting, stating, "If it is an invitation in a format where we meet as three or, as it's called, shuttle diplomacy... then in one format or another, we will agree." His cautious openness to dialogue reflects the complex dynamics surrounding any potential negotiation involving the conflict, which has been raging since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However, Zelensky also voiced reservations about Hungary as the venue for the talks. He criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whom Kyiv and many European Union leaders view as a Kremlin ally, saying that Orbán could not contribute positively or neutrally to Ukraine’s interests. This skepticism underscores broader geopolitical tensions, as Hungary has frequently been perceived as sympathetic to Russia, complicating its role as a host for peace discussions.
Meanwhile, media reports have shed light on the recent meeting between Zelensky and Trump at the White House, held on Friday. Contrary to earlier portrayals of a cordial encounter, sources suggest that the meeting devolved into a "shouting match," with the US side reportedly urging Ukraine to accept Russia’s terms to end the conflict. According to the Financial Times, Trump warned Zelensky that Putin would "destroy" Ukraine if he did not agree to the Russian demands. The conversation was described as “volatile,” with Trump dismissing maps of the frontline and insisting Zelensky surrender the entire eastern Donbas region to Russia.
Following the meeting, Trump took to social media to express his view on the conflict, suggesting that Russia and Ukraine "should stop where they are" along the current front lines. He added, "Let both claim Victory, let History decide!" This stance appears to advocate for a frozen conflict rather than a decisive military resolution.
Zelensky, while open to an immediate ceasefire, firmly rejected the idea of conceding territory. He emphasized that Ukraine "will not gift anything to the aggressor," signaling his determination to maintain Ukraine’s sovereignty over its lands. This fundamental disagreement between the two leaders highlights the deep divisions in approaches to peace and conflict resolution.
Russia’s official position remains unchanged, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterating Moscow’s demands for a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the four southeast regions of Donetsk, Luhansk (collectively known as Donbas), Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. These demands, along with other stringent conditions, amount to what Kyiv and its allies perceive as a de facto capitulation. Russia currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
The reported acrimony during the Trump-Zelensky meeting has sparked debate among Ukrainian experts and observers. Ukrainian political analyst Mykola Davyduik described the encounter as yielding little positive outcome, noting that the Ukrainian side faced pressure and threats during the talks. Nevertheless, he argued that Trump is not entirely aligned with Putin but is attempting to play the role of mediator, which reflects his personal style in handling such conflicts.
On the other hand, Ivan Stupak, a former member of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), believed that the reports of conflict between the two leaders were exaggerated. He suggested the meeting was neutral rather than disastrous, pointing out that disagreements and heated exchanges are not uncommon even among allies. “It’s not Disneyland, it’s not a kindergarten. It’s a meeting of two men and two leaders,” Stupak remarked, highlighting the intense nature of diplomatic negotiations during wartime.
Notably, just last month, Trump appeared to shift his stance on the conflict. Previously, he had suggested that Ukraine might need to concede some territory to end the war, a position Zelensky has steadfastly opposed. However, Trump later stated that Kyiv could "win all of Ukraine back in its original form," attributing this change to a better understanding of the military and economic realities of the war. On Monday, Trump reiterated that Ukraine "could still win it," though he