The Budapest summit between Trump and Putin marks a critical diplomatic step that could influence arms deliveries to Ukraine and the broader course of the war.

Details of the Trump-Putin Meeting

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will meet Putin in Budapest, Hungary, in two weeks. The Kremlin confirmed the plan. The summit aims to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and strengthen diplomatic communication between the two nations. Hungary is one of the few European countries where Putin can safely visit, given the 2023 International Criminal Court arrest warrant related to the Ukraine war, which prevents other EU countries from hosting him.

The Tomahawk Missile Debate

While traveling to Israel last Sunday, Trump said, “If the war doesn’t end, we could send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.” Tomahawk cruise missiles have long-range strike capabilities, including targeting Moscow and other strategic Russian cities. However, Trump later walked back the statement, citing the need for the US to maintain its own defense capabilities.

Ukraine’s Request and Technical Challenges

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to reiterate the request for Tomahawk missiles during his meeting with Trump at the White House. Zelenskiy has emphasized that the missiles would only be used against Russian military targets. However, the US Department of Defense has noted that Ukraine currently lacks the naval vessels necessary to launch these missiles, and a land-based launch system is still under development.

Strategic Importance of the Summit

The Trump-Putin meeting is crucial for potential arms deliveries to Ukraine and broader diplomatic efforts affecting the war. The summit will clarify whether the US will provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, with significant implications for the regional geopolitical balance.