What's happened
Trump and Putin plan to meet in Budapest within weeks to discuss ending the Ukraine war, with Zelensky criticizing Hungary's role. Kyiv is open to neutral countries for talks, but Zelensky warns against a repeat of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum scenario. Trump aims for a quick resolution, but previous efforts have failed.
What's behind the headline?
The planned Budapest meeting signals a renewed push by Trump and Putin to negotiate peace, but its success remains uncertain. Zelensky's criticism of Hungary reflects regional tensions and skepticism about Hungary's neutrality, given its Kremlin-sympathetic stance. Past diplomatic efforts, including Trump's Alaska summit and direct talks, have not yielded breakthroughs. The choice of Budapest, linked historically to Ukraine's security guarantees, underscores the complex geopolitics at play. This meeting could either restart serious negotiations or deepen divisions if it fails, with regional stability hanging in the balance. The international community will closely watch whether this initiative leads to tangible progress or becomes another diplomatic dead end.
What the papers say
The New Arab, South China Morning Post, and The Moscow Times all report on the planned Budapest meeting between Trump and Putin, emphasizing the diplomatic context and Zelensky's criticism. The New Arab highlights Zelensky's skepticism about Hungary's role, while South China Morning Post notes Trump's push for a quick resolution. The Moscow Times underscores the historical significance of Budapest in Ukraine's security guarantees. Despite slight differences in emphasis, all sources agree that the meeting represents a significant diplomatic effort with uncertain prospects, set against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and regional tensions.
How we got here
The Ukraine conflict, triggered by Russia's 2022 invasion, has led to international diplomatic efforts to broker peace. Past negotiations, including the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, involved security guarantees for Ukraine in exchange for nuclear disarmament. Recent talks aim to revive diplomacy amid ongoing hostilities.
Go deeper
- What are the historical implications of Budapest in Ukraine's security?
- How likely is this meeting to produce a breakthrough?
- What role does Hungary's government play in this diplomacy?
Common question
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Could Zelensky Join Putin and Trump at a Summit in Hungary?
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More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Spanning 93,030 square kilometres in the Carpathian Basin, it borders Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, a