Trump–Putin Summit in Hungary: A Gamble That Could Redefine Global Power
- Teo Drinkovic
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Will the Trump–Putin Summit in Hungary Finally Happen? Inside the Secret Deal That Could End the Ukraine War — or Restart It
Introduction
As the world holds its breath over Ukraine’s fate, mourning thousands of lives lost, homes destroyed, and families torn apart, a meeting long touted as a turning point for peace is hanging by a thread. The long-awaited Trump–Putin summit in Hungary, meant to signal the start of real negotiations to end the war, now appears to be delayed.
Despite the absence of any official cancellation, reports indicate that the preliminary diplomatic meeting in Budapest between Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio never took place. aa.com
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the summit is still “planned” and could occur “within two weeks or slightly later,” though “many details remain unresolved.” In short, the summit hasn’t been canceled, but it’s far from confirmed.
A Second Attempt at Peace
For the second time in months, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are expected to meet face-to-face, this time in Budapest, to broker an end to the Russia–Ukraine conflict. But once again, Ukraine is not invited. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the man whose country is being fought over, remains on the sidelines.
Attempting to make peace between two warring parties without one of them at the table feels almost absurd, yet that’s exactly what Trump and Putin seem to be attempting. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who maintains close personal ties with both leaders, is positioned as the facilitator, ensuring the meeting runs smoothly and without incident.
Why Now?
The war has entered its third year, and it’s no longer just a regional conflict. It’s a global headache, causing ripples across geopolitical, economic, and defense systems.
The war exposed deep cracks in international structures, NATO’s overreliance on U.S. leadership, the United Nations’ diplomatic paralysis, and the European Union’s military weakness.
For years, Europe relied on NATO’s umbrella and America’s defense spending, letting its own readiness fade. Now, a single decision from a U.S. president can halt military aid, shake borders, and fracture alliances. Perhaps Europe needed this wake-up slap, and Trump delivered it, loudly.
Beyond the battlefield, the war unleashed crises in energy supply and food security. Ukraine, once known as Europe’s breadbasket, is crippled. Russia, formerly a major energy supplier and trading partner, has been isolated by sanctions. The result is economic pain that reverberates from Berlin to Beijing.
What Trump Gains — and What Putin Gains
The world wants this war to end. Trump, who loves a headline, wants to be seen as the man who brings peace. Some speculate he’s eyeing a Nobel Peace Prize; others think it’s about political legacy. Whatever his motives, Trump’s interest in a ceasefire is undeniable.
For Putin, the benefits are more strategic. Meeting the U.S. president on “neutral ground” would re-legitimize Russia’s role on the world stage. It signals that Moscow isn’t entirely isolated, that it still has powerful interlocutors. Such a summit could strengthen Putin’s hand, giving him leverage to push for sanction relief, recognition of territorial status, or a frozen conflict that cements his current gains.
Tomahawk Missile
Tomahawk Missiles: Yes or No
Then there’s the Tomahawk missile issue, a critical piece of this geopolitical chessboard. Ukraine recently requested U.S. long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of striking targets up to 2,500 kilometers away. Initially, Washington appeared open to the idea. But Trump suddenly placed the decision “on hold.” Wikipedia
This wasn’t random. Allowing Ukraine to possess such missiles would enable deep strikes inside Russia, escalating the war and undermining Trump’s peace narrative. By withholding them, Trump holds a powerful bargaining chip: a weapon of diplomacy, not war.
He can present himself as a neutral mediator, not Ukraine’s ally, not Russia’s enemy. It’s one of the most strategic moves of his career.
Why Hungary?
The choice of Hungary is no coincidence. Orbán has cultivated what he calls “special friendships” with both Trump and Putin. The Kremlin confirmed that Budapest was chosen precisely because of Orbán’s “warm relationship” with Trump and “constructive ties” with Putin. Reuters
Hungary also occupies a gray zone in European politics. It has blocked some EU sanctions against Russia, continued energy cooperation with Moscow, and criticized Western military interventionism. Most significantly, Hungary is in the process of exiting the International Criminal Court (ICC), the same court that issued an arrest warrant for Putin. This move makes it one of the few EU nations where Putin could legally attend a summit without risk of arrest. euronews.com
For Orbán, hosting such a meeting is a political jackpot, proof that he’s a player on the world stage. For Trump and Putin, Budapest offers a neutral, non-Western venue with symbolic value: not Washington, not Moscow, but a European capital friendly to both.
Europe’s Reaction
Reactions across Europe are cautious and divided.
The European Commission welcomed any genuine step toward a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” but warned that Russia’s aggression must not be rewarded. In contrast, many EU diplomats and leaders remain skeptical, viewing the planned summit as a potential undermining of European unity, especially since Ukraine was excluded. euronews.com
Hosting such a meeting in a country whose leader has close ties to the Kremlin is controversial, and critics say it risks legitimizing Moscow’s actions.
Still, some European voices quietly admit: if the meeting leads to even a temporary ceasefire, it could buy precious time for diplomacy, or at least, a pause in the bloodshed.
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