Trump, Putin to meet in Budapest to end ‘inglorious’ Russia-Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest to work toward ending what he described as the “inglorious” war in Ukraine.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had a “very productive” telephone conversation with Putin, during which the Russian leader congratulated him and the United States on achieving “peace in the Middle East.” Trump said Putin told him it was an accomplishment “dreamed of for centuries.”

“I actually believe that the success in the Middle East will help in our negotiation in attaining an end to the war with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump wrote, adding that both leaders discussed post-war trade between the US and Russia.

According to Trump, the two agreed that high-level advisors from both countries would meet next week to prepare for the talks, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the American delegation. The final meeting between Trump and Putin, he said, would take place in Budapest, Hungary.

Trump also mentioned that Putin expressed appreciation for First Lady Melania Trump’s humanitarian work with children and said it would continue.

The US president added that he will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday to discuss his conversation with Putin and “much more.”

“I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation,” Trump said.

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