Russian President Vladimir Putin watches with binoculars the Tsentr-2019 navy train on the Donguz vary close to Orenburg metropolis on September 20, 2019.
Alexey Nikolsky | Afp | Getty Pictures
Russia was an oblique beneficiary of the struggle in Gaza in that it distracted the U.S. and different Western nations from its ongoing struggle in Ukraine.
However now that there is a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and a fledgling peace course of has begun, U.S. President Donald Trump is popping his sights on ending the struggle in Ukraine.
The president mentioned Thursday that he and different “high-level advisors” will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to debate the way to finish the struggle. It comes following a name with the 2 leaders by which Trump mentioned Putin had congratulated him on the “nice accomplishment of peace within the Center East.”
“President Putin and I’ll then meet in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we will deliver this “inglorious” Battle, between Russia and Ukraine, to an finish. … I consider nice progress was made with right this moment’s phone dialog,” Trump mentioned in a put up on Fact Social.
The assembly would be the second time the leaders have come face-to-face throughout Trump’s second time period, and will occur throughout the subsequent two weeks, based on the U.S. chief.
Tomahawk missiles
A technique the White Home is popping the screws on Moscow is by mooting the potential for supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. Trump is because of meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the White Home on Friday, with the leaders anticipated to debate the matter.
Earlier within the week, Trump instructed reporters that he would possibly use the Tomahawk missiles as leverage with Russia, saying he might inform Putin: “Look: if this struggle will not be going to get settled, I will ship them Tomahawks.”
In one other signal that the administration may very well be able to deepen its navy help for Kyiv, U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth promised Wednesday that “firepower” was coming for Ukraine, though he didn’t point out Tomahawks by title.
Renewed push for peace
Trump made no secret this week of the truth that he and envoys had been planning to instantly renew efforts to deliver the struggle in Ukraine to an finish because it approaches its fourth anniversary.
Addressing Israeli lawmakers on Monday as he celebrated a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, Trump instructed the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, “We’ve to get Russia performed.”
“Steve, let’s give attention to Russia first, alright? We’ll get it [done],” Trump mentioned, addressing the U.S.’ Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Having boasted forward of his second time period in workplace that he might get the Ukraine struggle to finish in simply “someday,” he conceded that it had proved trickier than he anticipated, noting: “I believed it could be simply settled. I believed it was a hell of so much simpler than doing what we simply did [in Gaza].”
Victoria Coates, vp on the Heritage Basis’s Davis Institute, instructed CNBC this week that the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas would probably have an effect on the Russia-Ukraine struggle.
“The momentum behind resolving the Gaza battle will help get to a decision of the Ukraine struggle,” Coates, a deputy nationwide safety advisor in Trump’s first administration, instructed CNBC’s “Squawk Field” on Tuesday.
“All these different nations that the president was assembly with [this week], and getting them behind battle decision, [can lead to] perhaps placing some stress on Putin to come back to the desk. So this will have a constructive impact on Ukraine,” she mentioned.
After all, the large query now could be whether or not Russia is able to play ball with Trump and his group.
Will Moscow play ball?
The Kremlin seems to be eager to indicate willingness in working towards ending the battle, though critics (not least Ukraine) say that Russia is skilful at using delay ways so it may well delay the struggle to make territorial beneficial properties.
On Tuesday, the Kremlin reiterated Russia’s place, vehemently disputed by Kyiv and its Western allies, that it was Ukrainian intransigence that was stopping an finish to the struggle which Russia launched in February 2022.
“Actually, we welcome such intentions, we welcome the affirmation of the political will to help the seek for peaceable options in each potential manner,” Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov mentioned on Tuesday, in feedback reported by Interfax.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov throughout a summit of leaders of countries, that are members of the Commonwealth of Unbiased States (CIS), in Moscow, Russia October 8, 2024.
Sergei Ilnitsky | By way of Reuters
Russia “stays open to and prepared for a peace dialogue,” Peskov mentioned, including that “we hope that the affect of the USA and the diplomatic prowess of President Trump’s envoys will definitely assist immediate the Ukrainian aspect towards a larger readiness for a peace course of.”
CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for additional touch upon its expectations for renewed talks with the U.S., and is awaiting a response.
Calling Putin’s bluff
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes palms with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier than a joint information convention following their assembly at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025.
Gavriil Grigorov | By way of Reuters
Except for touting the prospect of giving Ukraine Tomahawks — which the Kremlin admitted final Sunday was of “excessive concern” — Trump has been placing stress on Russia’s allies, slapping tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil.
Trump, who just lately disparaged Russia as a “paper tiger,” has additionally repeatedly threatened to place additional sanctions on Russia itself however has thus far held off, disappointing Kyiv and different Western companions.
Tomahawk talks may very well be a turning level for Russia, based on Peter Dickinson, editor of the Atlantic Council assume tank’s Ukraine Alert publication. Dickinson on Tuesday mentioned that this would be the case if Trump is prepared to name Putin’s bluff by pledging to produce Tomahawks, no matter whether or not he does find yourself doing so.
“Trump should now resolve whether or not he’ll name Putin’s bluff and arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles. There are mounting indications that he could also be inclined to take action,” Dickinson mentioned.
“Trump now has a chance to persuade his Russian counterpart that he’s not as simply intimidated as different Western leaders and is greater than prepared to extend the stress on Moscow till Putin agrees to pursue peace,” he mentioned in a web-based evaluation.
“A lot of Trump’s detractors will little doubt scoff on the thought of the U.S. president adopting such a uncompromising stance towards Putin, however few goal observers would query that this method is the one approach to finish the struggle,” he mentioned.
