Trump and Putin spoke in "a long conversation" on Thursday, writes Trump on Truth Social. The conversation took place ahead of Friday's meeting between the American president and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who landed in Washington late on Thursday evening.
Trump states that "great successes" were achieved during the conversation and says further that he will inform Zelenskyj when the two meet.
The phone call was also confirmed by Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov, who describes the conversation as "extremely frank and trusting" and that preparations for the meeting have in principle already begun. Ushakov also states that the conversation took place at Russia's initiative.
Orbán welcomes
Late on Thursday evening, Trump said at a press conference at the White House that the meeting with the Russian leader "probably" will take place within two weeks.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces that he welcomes a meeting in Budapest:
"The planned meeting between the American and the Russian president is fantastic news for all peace-loving people on earth. We are ready!", he writes on X.
As early as next week, representatives of the USA and Russia will meet ahead of a summit, writes Trump and says that Foreign Minister Marco Rubio will participate.
"Did not appreciate"
On the agenda for Friday's meeting with Zelenskyj are the American Tomahawk missiles, which Ukraine has been eagerly seeking, and which could give Ukraine the ability to strike deep into Russia.
Trump states that he discussed the issue of a possible transfer of the American missiles with Putin and says that the Russian leader "did not appreciate the idea". The Kremlin has consistently claimed that it would mean an escalation of the war if Ukraine were to gain access to the weapon and that it would damage the relationship between the USA and Russia.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha claims in a post on X that Kyiv's possible access to Tomahawk "forced" Putin to resume dialogue with the USA.
Trump and Putin met at a high-profile meeting in the US state of Alaska in mid-August. No real progress was made in peace efforts in the Russian invasion war at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Alaska.
