Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed willingness to participate in a proposed summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, should he receive an invitation.
The announcement comes as Trump and Putin revealed plans on Thursday for face-to-face talks to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, potentially in the coming weeks.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Zelensky said, “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.”
His comments follow a reportedly tense meeting with Trump at the White House on Friday, October 17, which some media outlets described as a “shouting match” over differing views on ending the conflict.
Zelensky emphasized his priority is achieving a “just peace” rather than a rushed resolution, highlighting significant disagreements with the U.S. side.
Reports suggest Trump urged Ukraine to accept Russia’s terms, including surrendering the Donbas region, and dismissed maps of Ukraine’s frontline during the discussions.
The Financial Times, citing sources, claimed Trump warned Zelensky that Putin would “destroy” Ukraine if he did not comply with Russia’s demands.
The Ukrainian leader also criticized Hungary as the proposed summit location, questioning Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ability to contribute positively to Ukraine’s interests. “Orban cannot do anything positive for Ukrainians or even provide a balanced contribution,” Zelensky remarked.
At the White House meeting, Zelensky sought U.S. approval for Tomahawk missiles to strike deep into Russian territory but left without a commitment from Trump, who remained non-committal on the issue.
Trump, when asked about Zelensky’s involvement in the Budapest talks, said he wanted to “make it comfortable for everybody” and suggested the leaders might meet together or separately.
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, remains a contentious issue.
Trump, who previously suggested Ukraine might need to cede territory to end the conflict, recently shifted his stance, claiming Kyiv could “win all of Ukraine back in its original form” after gaining a deeper understanding of the situation.
However, his administration has continued to push for economic pressure on Russia, urging NATO countries, China, and India to halt Russian oil purchases and threatening tougher sanctions on Moscow, though these threats have not yet materialized.
Trump’s relationship with Zelensky has seen fluctuations. While recent months showed improvement, including a February Oval Office meeting, tensions resurfaced during last week’s discussions.
During his re-election campaign, Trump claimed he could resolve the war within days, but he has since acknowledged the complexity of the conflict, describing it as more challenging than any he has faced since returning to office.
