Donald Trump has announced that he and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are scheduled for another in-person meeting following their controversial encounter earlier this year.
The two heads of state engaged in a phone conversation where they discussed trade and the conflict in Ukraine. Trump aims to add another achievement to his track record, despite his recent statement threatening to dismantle the agreement he facilitated between Palestine and Israel. Following the call, President Trump and Putin agreed to convene, as stated in a detailed post on Truth Social, with plans for “high-level advisors” to connect as early as next week.
After the preliminary discussions, they will meet at a mutually agreed location, which Trump disclosed to be Budapest, Hungary.
In his statement, Trump mentioned, “At the end of the call, we agreed to hold a meeting with our High-Level Advisors next week. The United States’ delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside other designated individuals.
“The meeting place is yet to be determined. President Putin and I will then convene in Budapest, Hungary, to work towards ending the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“President Zelenskyy and I are scheduled to meet tomorrow in the Oval Office to discuss my conversation with President Putin and other matters. I believe today’s phone discussion marked significant progress.”
Mr. Trump likely chose Hungary as the meeting venue due to its current leadership. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has aligned himself with US conservatives and is considered pro-Putin. When Hungary, which heavily relies on Russia for oil, assumed the EU council presidency, Orban visited Moscow, sparking controversy by expressing intentions to unify Europe.
The announcement of the meeting coincided with Trump’s statement that Putin had praised the US for achieving peace in the Middle East, stating, “I am optimistic that the success in the Middle East will facilitate our efforts to end the conflict.”
However, Trump has also issued a warning about jeopardizing the delicate peace accord between Israel and Hamas, indicating in a social media post that he would take action against Hamas if it violated the terms of the agreement.
He stated, “If Hamas persists in causing casualties in Gaza, which was not part of the agreement, we will be left with no choice but to intervene. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
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