Zelensky Offers to Join Trump-Putin Summit If Invited Amid Ukraine War Talks

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is willing to join a Trump–Putin summit in Budapest if invited.

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would be ready to join Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at a proposed summit in Hungary if he were invited”

BBC

He frames his goal as a “just” peace rather than a quick fix.

BBC

The talks—announced by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin—are described as potentially taking place soon.

Multiple outlets report the same basic setup: Trump and Putin plan to meet in Hungary to discuss ending Russia’s 2022 invasion, with Zelensky open to attending.

Some coverage emphasizes Trump’s role in arranging the summit and a near-term timeline.

Others add that Trump appears to be backing away from a direct Zelensky–Putin face-to-face.

Overall, the core throughline is Zelensky’s conditional openness to participate in talks centered on the war in Ukraine.

Zelensky sharply criticizes Hungary as a venue, citing Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s perceived pro-Kremlin stance and Budapest’s tensions with Kyiv.

He signals he would accept Budapest only in a shuttle diplomacy format—separate talks with each leader—and urges neutral alternatives such as Turkey, Switzerland, the Vatican, and others.

WION

Some outlets add his skepticism about Budapest by invoking the failed security assurances of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

European unease over Putin’s presence on EU soil also emerges, with an EU minister stressing it should be justified only by an immediate ceasefire.

Reports describe a volatile backdrop surrounding a recent meeting between Zelensky and Trump.

“Sign up now:Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Zelensky said he “devoted sufficient time to a meeting” with Mr Trump’s special envoy, Mr Steve Witkoff, to explain why Budapest wasn’t a suitable place to host the peace talks”

The Straits Times

Media say the meeting turned into a “shouting match,” with the US side urging Ukraine to accept Russia’s terms.

Some accounts go further, alleging Trump urged Ukraine to cede territory in Donetsk and cursed at Zelensky.

These reports also claim Trump pushed for a frozen frontline where Russia would hold most of the region, while echoing Kremlin talking points.

Other outlets repeat that Trump warned Zelensky Putin would “destroy” Ukraine if he rejected the terms.

One report adds an unusual and uncorroborated note about a summit hosted by Putin in Alaska, highlighting inconsistencies across coverage.

Amid the summit talk, coverage also points to the wider military and diplomatic context.

Ukraine is preparing to buy 25 Patriot air defense systems.

EA WorldView

The US is still weighing Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine.

European leaders are considering a large interest-free loan secured by frozen Russian assets.

Some reports note ongoing Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Trump has pushed for direct talks but, according to one outlet, has yet to achieve a breakthrough.

These details underscore both the urgency and the constraints surrounding any potential negotiations.