Posted on 10/16/2025 4:03:40 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
US President Donald Trump says "great progress" was made during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, with the pair agreeing to face-to-face talks in Hungary.
He said the call, the first with Putin since mid-August, was "very productive", adding that teams from Washington and Moscow will meet next week.
Trump did not confirm a date for his meeting with Putin in Budapest. The Kremlin said work on the summit would begin "immediately" after the "extremely frank and trustful" call.
The talks came a day before Ukraine's President Zelensky was to visit the White House, and with Trump weighing whether to arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russia.
As he arrived in the US, Zelensky said Moscow was "rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks".
Writing on his Truth Social platform after the call concluded, Trump said he and Putin "spent a great deal of time talking about Trade between Russia and the United States when the War with Ukraine is over".
He said "high level advisors" from both countries would meet at an unspecified location next week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the American delegation.
Trump also said he would update Zelensky on his talks with Putin on Friday, adding: "I believe great progress was made with today's telephone conversation."
He later told reporters he expected to meet Putin "within two weeks".
Asked about the prospect of giving the missiles to Ukraine after his call with Putin, Trump said "we can't deplete" the US stockpile of Tomahawks, adding "we need them too... so I don't know what we can do about that".
Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, said Russia launching overnight strikes on Ukraine "hours before" Putin's call with Trump "exposes Moscow's real attitude...".
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
So, we’re outta weapons, huh?
Hopefully this will go better than the Alaska meeting.
Gee, Z is likely deflated.
Trump take a call with Putin the day before he arrives in DC...2.5hrs call.
They discussed the New START renewal and commerce between the two countries. Probably some Ukraine stuff too.
And there will be no Tomahawks in Ukraine.
A lot of “very productive calls” followed by greater and more devastating attacks.This war seems to have no end in sight.
Putin will go on and on until he gets everything he wants, and Zelensky will not give an inch.
Infinitely sad...
It is actually Putin versus Ukraine, Putin rules Russia with an iron fist and has for 25 years, the current president of Ukraine just happened to be in his first term when Putin launched his invasion.
If the Ukrainians lose the will to resist and want to surrender their nation to Russia, then they will.
No Tomahawks and Trump is meeting Putin again. I guess the Ukies will hate Trump again.
Gee, I hope Trump does not give Putin Alaska just to make a deal.
Poon’s gonna have a hot time flying to Hungry and avoiding all the Patriots that elensky and Syrski are going to be lobbing at his plane.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.