Peace Gambit: Zelenskyy Eyes Invite to Trump-Putin in Budapest

The prospect of a direct Trump-Putin summit on the Ukraine war is now very real. The two leaders have agreed to meet soon. The city of Budapest, Hungary, has been chosen as the venue. Consequently, this development immediately puts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a difficult position. He recently visited the White House. He sought support and long-range missiles. Now, he faces the possibility of talks about his country’s future without him present. Therefore, Zelenskyy has made his move. He is publicly seeking an invitation. He is insisting that no deal can be made about Ukraine without Ukraine. Trump-Putin

The Unwanted Two-Man Show Trump-Putin

The announcement of the Budapest summit followed a phone call. President Trump and President Vladimir Putin spoke at length. They agreed to hold high-level talks. Trump later publicly called for a “freeze” of the war. He suggested fighting should stop along the current battle lines. This move was a clear disappointment for Kyiv. It came just as Zelenskyy was in Washington. He was asking for advanced Tomahawk missiles.

Zelenskyy’s primary goal is clear. He wants to leverage U.S. power. He wants to pressure Putin toward a just and lasting peace. However, Putin’s strategy is equally clear. They seeks a direct negotiation with the U.S. He wants to bypass Ukraine completely. He wants to treat the war as a great-power conflict. Consequently, the Budapest summit risks validating this narrative. It risks framing the war as a negotiation between Washington and Moscow.

Zelenskyy’s Strategy: Insisting on a Seat

Zelenskyy has responded proactively. They have signaled his willingness to attend the summit. It is ready to join the meeting if he is formally invited. Now emphasized this point strongly. They said, “How can there be some deals without us about us?” This statement frames the issue not as a desire but as a necessity. He is asserting Ukraine’s sovereignty. He demands a seat at any table that determines his nation’s future.

Zelenskyy has proposed two formats. Firstly, he is open to a trilateral summit. This would involve himself, Trump, and Putin. Secondly, he would accept “shuttle diplomacy.” In this arrangement, Trump would meet separately with both leaders. Zelenskyy’s strategy aims to force his inclusion. He wants to prevent an unwelcome, pre-cooked peace deal.

The Budapest Problem: A Hostile Venue Trump-Putin

The choice of venue complicates matters severely. Budapest is not a neutral ground. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is the host. Orbán is Putin’s closest partner in the European Union. He has long maintained warm relations with Moscow. Furthermore, he has a hostile relationship with Kyiv.

Orbán has actively sought to block Western aid to Ukraine. He has persistently portrayed himself as “pro-peace.” He casts his European partners as “warmongers.” Consequently, Zelenskyy views the location with immense suspicion. It publicly criticized the choice. He said he doubts Orbán can provide a balanced contribution. He suggested the venue is likely to favor the Kremlin’s position.

The Shadow of the Memorandum

Zelenskyy also warned of a historical parallel. He cautioned against another “Budapest scenario.” This refers to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. In that agreement, Ukraine gave up its Soviet-era nuclear weapons. It did so in exchange for security assurances. Those assurances were provided by the U.S., UK, and Russia. Therefore, the memorandum is now seen as a spectacular failure. Its collapse allowed the 2022 invasion. Zelenskyy’s reference serves as a warning. It suggests any new deal must include credible, ironclad security guarantees.

The Stakes: Sovereignty Versus Surrender Trump-Putin

The pressure on Zelenskyy is already intense. He left the White House without Tomahawk missiles. Furthermore, he faced suggestions of territorial concession. Reports indicate Trump privately urged him to surrender Donbas. He wanted to “freeze” the conflict along the current front lines. This is a massive proposition.

Ukrainian officials view this as potentially suicidal. They insist that any concession is a reward for aggression. They warn that surrendering territory leaves the rest of Ukraine vulnerable. It creates a strategic bridgehead for future Russian offensives. Therefore, Zelenskyy maintains a firm line. He will not grant “terrorists any bounty for their crimes.” He will not negotiate under the threat of missiles and drones.

The Need for External Pressure

Zelenskyy has outlined his strategy for the peace talks. He believes Putin is not genuinely interested in a just peace. Instead, he believes Putin only responds to strength. He sees Russia’s recent escalation as a sign of weakness. Therefore, he continues to urge allies. It calls for more decisive steps. They wants stronger pressure on Moscow. He desperately wants the Tomahawks. He knows the threat of long-range missiles is essential leverage. This strength, he argues, is the only path to meaningful concessions.

The Unpredictable Path Forward Trump-Putin

The path to peace is now highly unpredictable. The upcoming Budapest summit is a flashpoint. It will either open a door to dialogue or deepen Western divisions.

Zelenskyy has made his invitation request public. He is putting the onus on Trump. He wants the U.S. President to ensure fairness. However, Putin’s team has denied any direct meeting with Zelenskyy. They suggest Putin’s goal is simply to keep Trump engaged. They want to prevent “tough moves.”

Ultimately, the success of the talks hinges on trust. Trump must show he is an impartial broker. He must not simply prioritize a photo-op peace deal. Zelenskyy must continue his diplomatic drive. He must ensure his nation’s voice is heard. The future of Ukraine hangs in the balance. The world awaits the next move from the leaders in Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv. The stakes could not be higher. Trump-Putin

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