Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke today (17/10) about the highly anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The high-ranking Russian official revealed that the meeting between the two leaders could take place within the next two weeks or shortly after, though there are many issues that need to be resolved before a date can be set. It’s worth noting that Trump and Putin agreed yesterday, Thursday (16/10), to hold a second summit on the war in Ukraine, tentatively scheduled to take place in Budapest, following their meeting on August 15, 2025, in Alaska. This announcement was made on the eve of the meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Washington considers the possibility of providing Kiev with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio should hold a phone call and arrange a meeting to address many issues before the two leaders’ summit.
Peskov: “There are many issues, negotiating teams need to be appointed”
“There are many issues, negotiating teams need to be appointed, and so forth. Therefore, everything should be done step by step, but, of course, the presidents’ will is there,” the Kremlin spokesman said specifically. “(The summit) could indeed take place within two weeks or a little later. There is a general understanding that nothing should be left for later,” the Russian official emphasized, adding that Moscow remains open to a settlement to end the war in Ukraine peacefully.
Russia blames Kiev and its European allies for the deadlock in peace talks, while they accuse Moscow of making unacceptable demands and have said they don’t believe Putin is sincere when he says he seeks peace.
Furthermore, the Kremlin stated that Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban had a phone conversation today (17/10) to discuss the upcoming summit and that the Hungarian Prime Minister said he is ready to host the meeting.
