Moscow – Discussions regarding a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump are ongoing, despite a previously planned summit in Budapest being postponed, according to a high-ranking Russian official.
Yuri Ushakov, a presidential aide, stated that organizing a meeting between the two leaders would not present significant challenges should both parties agree to it. He confirmed that while a meeting had been tentatively scheduled for Budapest, it was later delayed, with communication channels remaining open on the matter.
Ushakov further indicated that Russia and the United States are actively engaged in talks concerning a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict, building upon understandings reached during a prior meeting in Alaska. He noted differing opinions and signals emanating from the U.S. regarding Ukraine, stating that while some are well-received in Moscow, others are not, but that the foundation of discussions remained the Alaskan summit.
“Many Europeans are not happy with what happened in Alaska, but not all. Those who do not want a peaceful settlement and want to continue the war to the last Ukrainian do not like it,” Ushakov elaborated. He added that the understandings reached in Alaska have been communicated to the Ukrainian side, which is aware of them but reportedly dissatisfied.
When questioned about whether the United States had reneged on the agreements made in Alaska, Ushakov responded, “As you can see, there has not yet been an official denial from their side that these agreements and understandings are no longer valid.”
Separately, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed his belief that the conflict in Ukraine may soon come to an end. In an interview, Orban stated that the West must forge a unified position to achieve peace, as a consensus among Western nations on the Ukrainian issue is currently lacking.
Orban argued that while Trump is promoting peace initiatives, Europe seems to favor prolonging the war in pursuit of a stronger negotiating position. He deemed Europe’s support for Kyiv as irrational, asserting that Ukraine has no chance of winning the conflict with Russia, and suggesting that the transfer of the entire Donetsk region to Russia is inevitable.
