President Donald Trump is accelerating his diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine, announcing a second meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin just one day before he is set to meet Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The meeting with Putin is expected to take place in Budapest, Hungary, within the next two weeks, though a date has not yet been confirmed.
Trump revealed the plan after speaking with Putin by phone on Thursday, calling the conversation “very productive.” The move marks Trump’s latest attempt to leverage his personal relationship with the Russian leader to secure what he has repeatedly described as a “real peace” in Europe’s largest war since World War II.
Putin Warns Against U.S. Missile Sales to Ukraine
According to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, the Russian president initiated the call, which he described as “very frank and trusting.” Putin reportedly warned Trump that selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine — a proposal Trump has floated publicly — would cause “significant damage” to U.S.-Russia relations.
Trump, who is scheduled to meet Zelenskyy on Friday, appeared to soften his stance on the sale, saying that the U.S. has “a lot of Tomahawks” but may not be able to spare them. “We have a lot of them, but we need them,” he said. “We can’t deplete for our country.”
Zelenskyy has urged Washington to provide longer-range weapons to help Ukrainian forces strike deeper into Russian territory and strengthen Kyiv’s position at the negotiating table. Friday’s meeting will mark the fourth face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy this year.
Diplomatic Balancing and Domestic Pressure
Trump’s renewed focus on Ukraine follows his recent ceasefire success in Gaza, which he touted during visits to Israel and Egypt earlier this week. Ending the wars in both Ukraine and Gaza was a cornerstone of his campaign platform, where he criticized former President Joe Biden’s handling of global conflicts.
However, progress with Russia has proved more elusive. Despite an initial summit with Putin in Alaska in August, the two leaders have yet to reach a breakthrough. In a speech before Israel’s Knesset earlier this week, Trump underscored that “the next priority” for his foreign policy team is resolving the war in Ukraine. “First we have to get Russia done,” he said, addressing his envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been coordinating with Moscow. “If you don’t mind, Steve, let’s focus on Russia first.”
Military Aid and Strategic Calculations
Analysts remain divided over whether providing Tomahawk missiles would significantly change the dynamics of the war. Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said the delivery and training process could take years. Instead, he argued, the U.S. should continue supplying Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) weapons, which are more readily deployable.
“The Tomahawk is as much a political decision as a military one,” Montgomery said. “The ERAM is shorter range, but it can still pressure Russia’s logistics and command systems effectively.” The U.S. approved the sale of 3,350 ERAMs to Kyiv earlier this year, signaling continued but cautious support for Ukraine’s long-term defense.
White House Weighs New Sanctions on Russia
Meanwhile, the administration is reviewing a new Senate sanctions bill aimed at tightening economic pressure on Moscow. The proposal, co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, would impose steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and uranium.
While Trump has not formally endorsed the measure, aides say the White House is providing “line edits” and policy recommendations — a sign of growing engagement. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill could reach the floor within 30 days, though Trump hinted he may prefer to wait. “I’m not against anything,” he said. “It just may not be perfect timing.”
A White House official, speaking anonymously, said any sanctions must give the president “complete flexibility” to align with U.S. foreign policy goals. Analysts such as Maria Snegovaya of the Center for Strategic and International Studies argue that stronger economic pressure will be essential to deterring Russia from prolonging the conflict. “We should be prepared that this war is not going to come to an end anytime soon,” she said.
Outlook
As Trump prepares to meet both Putin and Zelenskyy, global attention will focus on whether his high-profile diplomacy can deliver tangible results. While Trump hopes his personal rapport with Putin will open the door to peace talks, many in Washington and Europe remain skeptical that Moscow is ready to compromise. For now, the world waits to see whether the Budapest meeting will mark a turning point — or another stalled attempt in a long and brutal war.