Budapest Backdoor Diplomacy: Trump's Peace Gambit Leaves Kyiv on Edge
Published Date: 18th Oct, 2025
Budapest/Washington, October 18, 2025 – The path to peace in Ukraine appears to be shifting from the White House to the pro-Russian capital of Hungary, as President Donald Trump announced plans for a summit with Vladimir Putin in Budapest just hours after a critical meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The diplomatic flurry, propelled by Trump's eagerness to replicate his recent success in brokering a Gaza ceasefire, has sparked both hope for an end to the war and deep concern among Kyiv's Western allies that the US is prioritizing a quick deal over Ukrainian sovereignty.
The Tomahawk Test and Trump's Hesitancy
President Zelenskyy's visit to Washington yesterday was dominated by his urgent plea for advanced military aid, specifically the long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory. Ukrainian officials argue that the mere threat of these weapons is the strongest leverage they have to force Moscow to the negotiating table.
However, the tone of the White House talks was heavily influenced by President Trump’s prior phone call with Putin. Trump expressed reluctance to send the Tomahawks, stating the US must maintain its own stockpile and reiterating his belief that the war should simply stop where it is, allowing both sides to "claim Victory."
"We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks," Trump remarked, signalling a focus on an immediate ceasefire rather than escalating military capability. This position has dismayed Ukrainian advocates, who see Trump's pivot as a direct concession to Moscow, which had warned that providing the missiles would severely damage US-Russia relations.
Hungary: A Neutral Ground or a Russian Advantage?
The most significant takeaway from the week’s diplomacy is the agreed-upon summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest in the coming weeks. The choice of Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán—a NATO member who has consistently obstructed EU support for Kyiv and maintained a warm relationship with Putin—is seen by critics as a win for the Kremlin.
Hungary has already declared it will ensure safe passage for Putin, who is subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, highlighting the political complexity of the venue.
With the next stage of negotiations set to exclude President Zelenskyy directly—Trump suggested talks might need to be "separated" due to the "bad blood" between the two warring leaders—Kyiv's European partners are voicing concern. The worry is that the focus on a bilateral US-Russia deal, without Ukraine’s full participation, violates the core principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," potentially pushing Kyiv toward irretrievable territorial concessions.
As top US and Russian aides prepare to meet next week to pave the way for the Budapest summit, the world watches to see if President Trump can deliver on his promise of peace, or if his diplomatic push will inadvertently cement Russia's military gains.
Date: 18th Oct, 2025
