The phone call follows an announcement that in the coming weeks, Budapest will host a meeting between Putin and Trump as part of efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Editor’s note: The story is being updated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Oct. 17, without providing details.

The phone call follows an announcement that in the coming weeks, Budapest will host a meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump as part of efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Trump announced the planned summit on Oct. 16, following a more than two-hour call with Putin, which took place only a day before President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House.

Orban, Hungary’s illiberal leader who has opposed aid to Ukraine and maintains warm ties with Russia, called the meeting “great news for the peace-loving people of the world,” adding that Budapest is “ready” to host the presidents.

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