During talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, US President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Budapest due to the Russian president’s unwillingness to end the war against Ukraine. For Trump, this became a political revelation, as he previously believed Putin could be persuaded to end the conflict through favorable negotiations.
At the start of his term, Trump offered Russia sanctions relief, asset returns, and recognition of control over occupied territories in exchange for ceasing the war. However, according to experts, these terms did not interest Putin, whose goal, it is argued, is not just Donbas and Crimea, but control over all Ukraine.
Trump now recognizes that Putin continues the war because of his own ambitions, not due to a lack of Western offers. Amid US political competition and the upcoming elections, Trump seeks to appear as a peacemaker, potentially impacting US sanctions policy on Russia and military support for Ukraine.
Orban’s visit to the US is tied to attempts to soften new sanctions for Hungary. At the same time, political pressure on Moscow from the Trump administration may increase if there is no progress in peace initiatives. The possibility of Western confiscation of Russian assets is also being discussed.
The discussion also considers that the political future of systems may depend on the war’s outcome: a Ukrainian defeat could bolster authoritarian empires, while a victory would mean the collapse of the Russian empire.
The expert analyzes the mood of Western leaders, nuclear weapons risks, and the likelihood of escalation. Overall, the US position on the conflict is becoming tougher, and its outcome will significantly impact the future architecture of Europe and the world.
