Budapest Prepares to Host Expected US-Russia Ukraine Peace Summit

Preparations for a potential peace summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest are actively underway, though the date remains uncertain. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó have emphasized Hungary's role as an "island of peace" and a mediator committed to diplomacy, highlighting Budapest as the chosen venue due to its strategic and symbolic significance. Despite some delays and differing expectations between U.S. and Russian officials, such as the postponed meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the summit is expected to proceed once all details and agreements are finalized. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions, with some European voices, including France's foreign minister, conditioning Putin's travel to the EU on an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, reflecting broader concerns about the peace process. Meanwhile, the summit has been supported by some far-right European political figures who view Budapest as an ideal location for fostering peace in Europe. Overall, the talks represent a significant diplomatic effort amid ongoing tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine and the EU's differing stances on the conflict.