On October 22, 2025, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., to advance preparations for a potential summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Budapest. The discussions focused on logistics and timing for the high-stakes meeting, whose aim is addressing the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomacy. Szijjártó emphasized Hungary’s readiness to host, dismissing rumors of cancellation as attempts to derail peace efforts, while reaffirming Budapest’s commitment to providing a neutral venue and ensuring safe passage for all parties.
The meeting follows a recent Putin-Trump phone call on October 16th and a Rubio-Lavrov conversation on October 20th, signaling intensified U.S.-Russia engagement. Hungary’s role as a facilitator has drawn vicious criticism from more warhawkish EU member states, with some member states vehemently opposing the summit. Szijjártó criticized the EU’s “pro-war” stance, urging focus on a negotiated settlement. While no firm summit date was confirmed, both sides expressed optimism about progress, with Hungary positioning itself as a key player in de-escalating global tensions.
After the meeting, the Hungarian FM said on X “it’sclear that the US has not given up on holding the Budapest Peace Summit.”
