As speculation intensifies over a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest, questions loom over whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be invited – and what kind of “peace deal” might emerge from such talks.
According to the Kremlin, preparations for a potential Trump–Putin summit are “under way,” though “much remains to be done.” The meeting could happen “within two weeks or slightly later,” Reuters reported.
Trump, for his part, has said he wants to “end the war quickly,” hinting that a ceasefire might involve freezing the conflict along the current front lines – a proposal that has already stirred deep unease in Kyiv and across Europe.
A Tense Diplomatic Triangle
Reports from Washington and European capitals suggest that Trump has pressed Zelensky to accept a deal reflecting Moscow’s territorial control.
The Financial Times and AP both cited accounts of a tense exchange between the two leaders, during which Trump allegedly demanded “flexibility” and criticized Kyiv for “dragging out” the conflict.
Zelensky, however, told The Guardian he would be willing to join the Budapest summit if formally invited, describing it as “a chance to defend Ukraine’s position directly.” For now, his participation remains uncertain.
European officials, meanwhile, have expressed alarm. EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell said Putin’s potential visit to an EU member state was “not a nice thing” and warned that any separate peace track could undermine Western unity.
Moscow’s Legal and Strategic Aims
Analysts believe the Kremlin’s core objective in any talks would be to secure legal acknowledgment of the new territorial realities – even indirectly.
“Russia is seeking a minimal legal basis to prevent future Ukrainian claims over occupied territories,” said to Minval Politika Farhad Mammadov, a Baku-based political analyst.
“But President Zelensky has no constitutional authority to make such concessions, which makes this scenario almost impossible formally.”
Mammadov argues that Moscow could instead push for political steps that achieve similar effects – such as orchestrating elections or leadership changes in Ukraine to produce a more compliant government.
Another key Russian priority, he added, is partial sanctions relief.
“The Kremlin understands Europe won’t lift sanctions, but there’s a feeling that Washington might ease certain restrictions if an agreement is reached,” Mammadov noted. “That alone would help the Russian economy start breathing again.”
The NATO Question
The most sensitive issue remains Ukraine’s relationship with NATO. Moscow continues to oppose any alliance presence on Ukrainian territory, while Western diplomats remain divided on what form of security guarantees could replace full membership.
“The configuration of NATO forces in Ukraine will be one of the most difficult topics,” Mammadov said. “Even within the alliance, there’s no consensus.”
A Risky Stage in the Diplomatic Game
Whether the Budapest meeting will include Zelensky is still unclear, but Mammadov doubts it:
“A trilateral summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky seems unlikely at this stage. Such talks require at least 90 percent of the decisions to be pre-agreed – otherwise, they risk collapsing into another shouting match.”
He believes the current diplomatic maneuvering represents “another swing of the pendulum” – a preparatory phase where each player seeks to secure at least part of their interests ahead of potential negotiations.
“In the coming weeks,” he said, “Trump, Putin, and Zelensky will all try to turn Budapest into their own victory story. But the real test will be whether any of them can stop this war – or just rebrand it.”
