Trilateral Summit Could Mark Turning Point in War
The White House is preparing for a possible high-stakes meeting between the leaders of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine, with Budapest emerging as the likely host city. According to sources familiar with internal discussions, the U.S. Secret Service has begun logistical planning for a summit in the Hungarian capital, seen as a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Orbán’s Role and Geopolitical Implications
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a long-time ally of President Donald Trump, is positioned to play a key diplomatic role. The proposed venue has raised concerns, particularly for Ukraine, due to Budapest’s symbolic connection to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. That agreement, meant to guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons, was widely seen as broken following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Global Proposals and Diplomatic Maneuvering
Although Budapest is the leading candidate, alternative sites have been floated. Russian President Vladimir Putin favors Moscow, while French President Emmanuel Macron proposed Geneva. Switzerland’s foreign minister even offered diplomatic immunity to Putin for the duration of a summit. However, Budapest’s central location and Orbán’s alignment with Trump make it a logistically and politically viable option for U.S. planners.
Unresolved Concerns and Next Steps
The White House has yet to publicly confirm the summit location. The fluid nature of planning means alternate cities remain on the table. Still, U.S. officials see a trilateral dialogue as essential to crafting a realistic path toward de-escalation. If confirmed, the Budapest summit could represent the most significant peace initiative since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
