Trump Hopes for Future Meeting with Putin After Budapest Summit Cancellation
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Friday about meeting again with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their planned summit in Budapest was abruptly canceled last month.
Comments on the Canceled Summit
While hosting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House, Trump responded to a reporter's question saying,
“There is always a chance.”
Later, in the Cabinet Room, Trump explained the summit did not happen because the Russians “don't want to stop yet.” He added,
“I think they will. I think it's taken a big toll on Russia, big toll on both countries, obviously, but it's taken a big toll.”
Preferred Location for Future Talks
When asked whether he preferred keeping Budapest as the venue for a future meeting, Trump said,
“I'd like to keep it in Hungary, in Budapest. That meeting, it turned out I didn't want to do that meeting because I didn't think anything was going to be happening of significance. But if we have it, I'd like to do it in Budapest, yeah, it'd be good.”
Background on Trump-Putin Meetings
- Trump and Putin last met on August 15 in Alaska.
- They agreed to hold subsequent talks in Budapest after consultations between their top diplomats.
Author's summary: President Trump remains open to future talks with Putin, preferring Budapest as the location despite the recent summit's cancellation, emphasizing the significant impact of ongoing tensions on both nations.