by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced Friday that he had already discussed details of the planned U.S.–Russia summit in Budapest with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that he would also speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the meeting.
Orbán said he had talked with President Trump late Thursday and noted that, in his words, “we also spoke with the Russians. And as for President Putin, I will speak with him this morning, before noon.”
He later confirmed that his telephone conversation with Putin had taken place and described preparations for the summit as “going full steam ahead.”
The announcement came after a two-hour phone call between Trump and Putin, which the White House described as “productive.” Trump said the two leaders discussed restoring U.S.–Russia trade relations once the war in Ukraine comes to an end.
According to Trump, both sides agreed to hold a preparatory meeting next week between senior diplomats from Washington and Moscow. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent the United States, while Russia’s delegation has not yet been announced.
HUNGARY’S MEDIATING ROLE
The Budapest summit between Trump and Putin is expected to follow soon after that diplomatic session.
Orbán — who has maintained close relations with both Trump and Putin — has repeatedly said that Hungary stands ready to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Last year, during Hungary’s rotating presidency of the European Union, he visited Moscow, Kyiv, and Beijing, moves that drew sharp criticism from EU leaders, who accused him of undermining the bloc’s unity on Ukraine.
The nationalist prime minister also opposes sending weapons to Kyiv, arguing that it would only prolong a war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and has killed or injured more than a million people.
Trump has praised Orbán publicly, including during the recent Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he described the Hungarian leader as “a great person and a fantastic leader.”
EAST-WEST BRIDGE
“We have Hungary. Where is Viktor? We love Viktor! He is a great leader. I endorsed him the last election, and he won by 28 points. You’re going to do even better this time — we’ll be behind you a hundred percent,” Trump said.
Hungarian officials say Budapest aims to serve as a bridge between East and West, a stance that could soon place the city at the center of major global diplomacy.
Orbán has pledged to facilitate Putin’s entry and exit for the summit, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for the Russian leader’s arrest.
Hungary is currently moving to withdraw from the ICC, clearing the way for the meeting to proceed — a decision that continues to draw sharp international scrutiny.
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