Russian President Vladimir Putin watches with binoculars the Tsentr-2019 army train on the Donguz vary close to Orenburg metropolis on September 20, 2019.
Alexey Nikolsky | Afp | Getty Photos
Russia was an oblique beneficiary of the conflict in Gaza in that it distracted the U.S. and different Western international locations from its ongoing conflict 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 conflict 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 tips on how to finish the conflict. It comes following a name with the 2 leaders wherein 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” Struggle, between Russia and Ukraine, to an finish. … I consider nice progress was made with at this time’s phone dialog,” Trump mentioned in a put up on Reality Social.
The assembly would be the second time the leaders have come face-to-face throughout Trump’s second time period, and will occur inside the subsequent two weeks, in response to the U.S. chief.
Tomahawk missiles
A method 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 advised reporters that he may use the Tomahawk missiles as leverage with Russia, saying he may inform Putin: “Look: if this conflict 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 army 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 identify.
Renewed push for peace
Trump made no secret this week of the truth that he and envoys had been planning to right away renew efforts to deliver the conflict 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 advised the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, “We’ve to get Russia accomplished.”
“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 may get the Ukraine conflict to finish in simply “at some point,” he conceded that it had proved trickier than he anticipated, noting: “I believed it will be simply settled. I believed it was a hell of so much simpler than doing what we simply did [in Gaza].”
Victoria Coates, vice chairman on the Heritage Basis’s Davis Institute, advised CNBC this week that the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas would possible have an effect on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“The momentum behind resolving the Gaza battle may also help get to a decision of the Ukraine conflict,” Coates, a deputy nationwide safety advisor in Trump’s first administration, advised CNBC’s “Squawk Field” on Tuesday.
“All these different international locations that the president was assembly with [this week], and getting them behind battle decision, [can lead to] possibly placing some strain on Putin to return to the desk. So this could have a optimistic impact on Ukraine,” she mentioned.
After all, the massive query now’s whether or not Russia is able to play ball with Trump and his crew.
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 will probably delay the conflict to make territorial positive factors.
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 conflict which Russia launched in February 2022.
“Definitely, we welcome such intentions, we welcome the affirmation of the political will to help the seek for peaceable options in each doable approach,” 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 america and the diplomatic prowess of President Trump’s envoys will definitely assist immediate the Ukrainian aspect towards a higher 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 fingers 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 strain on Russia’s allies, slapping tariffs on India for getting 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 up to now held off, disappointing Kyiv and different Western companions.
Tomahawk talks may very well be a turning level for Russia, in response to 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 keen 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 strain 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 concept of the U.S. president adopting such a uncompromising stance towards Putin, however few goal observers would query that this strategy is the one option to finish the conflict,” he mentioned.
