With a Zelensky-Putin meeting on the horizon, Magyar Nemzet is reporting that a White House official has indicated that the two leaders could hold their talks in Budapest. The move makes sense given the friendly relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the fact that Hungary has pushed for peace since the war began. 

Hungary has also withdrawn from the International Criminal Court, meaning Putin would be under no threat of arrest, given the ICC warrant out on him for war crimes. 

However, as has been widely reported on in the past, Zelensky and Orbán have a tense relationship, which would serve as a major roadblock to any potential meeting. Just a few days ago, Hungary accused Ukraine of attacking the Friendship oil pipeline running from Russia, through Ukraine, and on to Hungary.

At yesterday’s meeting in Washington, European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Donald Trump agreed that the next step should be a direct negotiation between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. However, there has been no confirmation from Moscow regarding a meeting, despite reports that it could be taking place within the next two weeks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made it clear in D.C. that the next round of talks must include Ukraine, although “it remains to be seen whether President Putin will have the courage to do so.”

Merz also confirmed that Trump plans to then join Zelensky and Putin for trilateral talks.