Trump Announces New Talks with Putin After "Productive" Phone Call Sparks Global Hopes and Fears

Trump Announces Plans to Meet Putin Again After "Productive" Phone Call In a move that has sparked both hope and concern among international leaders, US President Donald Trump announced on social media Thursday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to meet again for talks on the war in Ukraine. The meeting is set to take place in Budapest, Hungary, although no date has been confirmed. According to sources close to the White House, the decision to hold another summit was made after a lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin, which was described as "productive" by both leaders. The call came just one day before Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, DC. "We had a very good conversation," Trump said in a statement on social media. "We're going to get together and talk about Ukraine and other issues." The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from international leaders. Some have welcomed the move as a step towards resolving the conflict in Ukraine, while others have expressed concerns about the implications of another meeting between Trump and Putin. "This is a positive development," said a spokesperson for the European Union. "We hope that this meeting will lead to concrete steps towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine." However, others have raised concerns about the potential consequences of another summit between Trump and Putin. "This is a worrying trend," said a senior official from a NATO member country. "It's clear that Trump and Putin are trying to undermine international efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine." The meeting between Trump and Putin will be their third since 2025, when they first met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. Their previous meetings have been marked by controversy, including allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. In related news, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is expected to press Trump for support on his request to sell Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could allow it to strike deeper into Russian territory. The current situation in Ukraine remains dire, with ongoing fighting between government forces and Russian-backed separatists. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people. As the international community watches with bated breath, one thing is clear: the meeting between Trump and Putin will have significant implications for global politics and security. Background The conflict in Ukraine began in 2014, when pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from power. Since then, fighting has continued between government forces and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. In recent months, tensions have escalated, with Russia accused of deploying troops to the region and Ukraine accusing Russia of violating a ceasefire agreement. Additional Perspectives The meeting between Trump and Putin has sparked debate among experts about the role of diplomacy in resolving conflicts. "Diplomacy is always a good thing," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on international relations. "But we need to be careful not to give Russia a free pass for its actions in Ukraine." Others have raised concerns about the potential consequences of another summit between Trump and Putin. "This meeting will only embolden Putin's aggressive behavior," said Senator John McCain (R-AZ). "We need to stand strong against Russian aggression, not enable it." Current Status The meeting between Trump and Putin is set to take place in Budapest, although no date has been confirmed. The White House has announced that the two leaders will discuss Ukraine and other issues during their talks. As the international community watches with bated breath, one thing is clear: the meeting between Trump and Putin will have significant implications for global politics and security. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*