Kremlin confirms Budapest summit with Trump was mutual decision

The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump mutually agreed to hold a summit in Budapest aimed at addressing the stalled Ukrainian conflict. During a press briefing in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that both leaders recognized the need for high-level involvement to break the deadlock in Ukraine, though specific details about the potential meeting remain undefined.

Planning Phase for High-Level Diplomacy

Peskov clarified that despite widespread speculation, no concrete arrangements have been made for the Budapest summit. "So far, there's no news whatsoever," he stated, adding that most circulating reports "fundamentally contradict reality." The spokesman stressed that both presidents prefer efficient meetings but acknowledged that "efficiency always demands thorough preparation," indicating that additional work is needed before dates can be determined.

Russia's Established Position on Ukraine

When questioned about whether the US had received a confidential Russian proposal for resolving the Ukrainian crisis, Peskov reiterated that Moscow's position is well-established and has been repeatedly articulated by President Putin. He declined to confirm any recent diplomatic notes but emphasized that Russia's settlement terms are "clearly formulated" and "well understood" by international counterparts.

Additional International Engagements

The briefing also addressed other diplomatic matters, including the postponement of the Russian-Arab summit originally scheduled for October, though new dates remain unspecified. Peskov additionally confirmed that President Putin will not attend the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa scheduled for November 21-22, reflecting ongoing adjustments to Russia's international engagement calendar amid complex global diplomatic relations.