Summit Speculation: Where Could Putin and Zelensky Meet?

Tue Oct 21 2025 09:45:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Possible venues for a historic summit between Ukraine's Zelensky and Russia’s Putin are being discussed, but uncertainties linger.

As talks of a potential summit between President Zelensky of Ukraine and President Putin of Russia arise, possible locations like Budapest, Istanbul, and Vienna are being debated. Despite the hope from U.S. President Trump for swift negotiations, underlying tensions and contrasting demands on both sides suggest a meeting may not materialize soon.

The idea of a summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin is generating buzz, with speculations on where it could take place. While locations like Geneva, Vienna, and Istanbul have been floated, the actual likelihood of the meeting happening seems to diminish amid rising tensions and differing expectations.

President Trump recently suggested that arrangements for the summit had begun, hinting at Putin’s willingness to meet. However, Russian officials quickly qualified this optimism, indicating that the discussion was merely about raising the delegation level, not confirming a meeting. The German Chancellor has also weighed in, suggesting a potential date, but he's concerned whether Putin will accept the invitation.

Moscow appears to be open to talks, but with preconditions that Ukraine may find unacceptable. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that any meeting hinges on resolving various important "issues," which have historically been vague and non-committal.

Furthermore, Zelensky asserted that any summit would need to first include a consensus on security guarantees from Ukraine’s allies, particularly from the West, complicating any negotiations with Russia. As both sides stick to their positions and accuse each other of blocking peace efforts, there is skepticism surrounding the prospect of a fruitful summit.

Budapest emerged as a possible venue, endorsed by Hungary’s foreign minister. However, Zelensky noted the challenges of meeting in a city whose leader hasn’t fully supported Ukraine. Other suggested locations include Vienna and Istanbul, with Turkey having already hosted peace talks in the past. The Vatican and Saudi Arabia have also been mentioned as hosts.

As this diplomatic chess game unfolds, military actions continue unabated, with Ukraine responding to Russian strikes and showcasing the ongoing conflict. The prospect of meaningful negotiations remains bleak, with Zelensky emphasizing the need for pressure on Russia to engage sincerely in discussions.