Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled a cautious willingness to take part in the proposed peace talks between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, even as his meeting with Trump in Washington ended on a tense note.
Speaking to reporters after what he described as a “frank” discussion at the White House, Zelensky said he would consider joining the talks expected to take place in Hungary if invited in a trilateral format or through mediated exchanges stressing that any dialogue must align with Ukraine’s vision of a “just peace, not a quick peace.”
The planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, announced last week, aims to explore a potential settlement to the ongoing war in Ukraine. But reports suggest Zelensky’s Washington visit was overshadowed by pressure from U.S. officials urging Kyiv to weigh Russia’s peace terms claims the Ukrainian leader declined to confirm.
Zelensky also cast doubt on Hungary’s suitability as the venue, accusing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of lacking neutrality in the conflict. “Hungary cannot provide anything positive for Ukrainians or even a balanced contribution,” he said, alluding to Budapest’s friendly ties with Moscow.
Trump, responding to questions about Zelensky’s possible participation, said efforts were ongoing to “make it comfortable for everybody,” adding that discussions “may be separate” but ultimately interconnected.
Meanwhile, sources say Zelensky sought U.S. approval to acquire long-range Tomahawk missiles, though Trump reportedly offered no clear response.
