U.S. President Donald Trump announced his plans to hold another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to work towards resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Trump revealed on social media that the meeting is expected to take place in Budapest, Hungary, although a specific date has not been confirmed. Following a recent phone call with Putin, Trump expressed optimism about the progress made during their discussion.
This upcoming meeting follows a previous encounter between the two leaders in Alaska in August, which did not lead to significant diplomatic breakthroughs. Prior to the Trump-Putin meeting, U.S. officials, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are scheduled to engage in discussions with Russian representatives, although the location of this meeting remains undisclosed.
In anticipation of the meeting with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been advocating for the sale of Tomahawk missiles to enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities against Russia. Zelenskyy believes that supplying these missiles would compel Putin to take negotiations for ending the conflict more seriously.
Trump, who initially focused on Gaza-related matters, has now shifted his attention towards resolving the Ukraine crisis. He is considering providing Kyiv with long-range weaponry, such as Tomahawk cruise missiles, to pressure Moscow into negotiations. Trump highlighted the importance of addressing the conflict in Ukraine as his primary foreign policy objective.
Despite potential objections from Putin regarding the sale of Tomahawks to Ukraine, Trump remains resolute in his decision. Analysts suggest that while offering Tomahawks would be a bold move, it could take time to implement and train Ukrainian forces on the system. In the interim, providing Ukraine with Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) could be more immediately beneficial.
There are indications of growing interest within the White House for imposing new sanctions on Russia, a measure that Zelenskyy is expected to advocate for during his meeting with Trump. While the president has been cautious about endorsing such measures, there is a push in Congress for stricter sanctions on Moscow. Additionally, discussions are underway regarding legislation that would impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian exports to weaken Moscow economically.
The White House has demonstrated increased engagement with the proposed legislation, signaling a potential shift towards supporting it. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the need for European cooperation in addressing Russian aggression, highlighting the importance of collective action in response to the escalating situation in Ukraine.
