Washington/Moscow, October 17, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a detailed telephone conversation focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin confirmed on Friday.
During the call, President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s openness to a peaceful settlement in Ukraine while outlining Moscow’s stance on the potential supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv. The Kremlin maintained that the specific details of the discussion would remain confidential.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the leaders agreed to hold a second summit on the Ukraine war, provisionally in Budapest, within the next two weeks or shortly thereafter. This follows their first meeting in Alaska on August 15, which ended without a major breakthrough. Peskov added that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will coordinate pre-summit arrangements, including negotiation frameworks and participant lists.
The announcement coincides with President Trump’s planned meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid reports that Washington may supply Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, a step Moscow has warned could escalate tensions.
Separately, Putin spoke with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who offered to host the summit in Budapest, emphasizing Hungary’s readiness to facilitate the high-stakes dialogue.
A German government spokesperson in Frankfurt commented that Putin’s engagement shows he “reacts to pressure for serious peace talks,” urging increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow to ensure progress.
Tensions remain high, with Russia blaming Kyiv and its Western allies for blocking peace talks, while Ukraine and European nations insist that Moscow’s terms remain unacceptable. If it takes place, the Budapest summit could mark a key diplomatic step, potentially reopening negotiations between Washington and Moscow on the Ukraine conflict.
