The president met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and later stated that the fighting should end and that territorial lines should be where the battle lines are today.

Putin's focus on Donetsk suggests he is not backing away from past demands that have left the conflict in a stalemate, despite Trump's optimism about securing a deal

The soldier took up arms a decade ago to defend her home region, Donetsk, where Ukraine has been battling Russian-backed forces since 2014. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the region has become synonymous with Ukraine’s fight for survival. Battlefield developments in Donetsk are considered a gauge of each side’s fortunes in the war.

Trump weighs sending 1000-mile range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which could target Russian airbases and energy infrastructure across Russia.

“Budapest is essentially the only place in Europe today where such a meeting could be held, primarily because Hungary is almost the only pro-peace country,” Orbán said. “For three years, we have been the only country that has consistently, openly, loudly and actively advocated for peace.”