Zelensky Open to Joining Trump-Putin Summit Amid Tense U.S. Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated his readiness to join a proposed summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, should he receive an invitation. This development follows an announcement by Trump and Putin regarding their plans to meet in the Hungarian capital to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During a press briefing, Zelensky stated, "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." He also expressed reservations about Budapest as the meeting venue, citing concerns over Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's potential bias, noting that Orban "could not do anything positive for Ukrainians or even provide a balanced contribution."

Zelensky's comments come after a reportedly tense meeting with President Trump at the White House. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Trump urged Zelensky to consider territorial concessions to Russia, warning that Putin would "destroy" Ukraine if it did not agree to Russia's terms. The U.S. side was said to have echoed Russian talking points during the meeting, suggesting that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas region to Russia. Zelensky emphasized his pursuit of a "just peace, not a quick peace," and criticized the proposed location of the Trump-Putin talks, expressing skepticism about Hungary's role in the negotiations.

In the same meeting, Zelensky sought to secure U.S. Tomahawk missiles to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities. However, Trump appeared non-committal on the matter, reportedly withdrawing missile support after a phone call with Putin, possibly to avoid escalating tensions ahead of their upcoming meeting in Hungary. Despite the lack of a definitive agreement on military aid, Zelensky described the meeting as "positive" and appreciated Trump's support for a ceasefire along current front lines.

The proposed summit in Budapest has drawn criticism from European Union officials. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas labeled the potential visit by Putin to Hungary as "not nice," referencing the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for the Russian president. Kallas emphasized the necessity of involving Zelensky in any negotiations, stating that a peace process should not proceed without Ukraine's participation.

As diplomatic efforts continue, Zelensky announced that Ukraine is preparing to purchase 25 U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to strengthen its defenses against Russian missile attacks. The systems are expected to be delivered incrementally over several years, with Ukraine advocating for prioritized access with the support of some European countries.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions and preparations for the proposed summit. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to resolving the conflict in Ukraine.