NextFin news, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk rejected the proposal for Budapest, Hungary, to host a potential peace summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He made this statement on August 20, 2025, in response to reports that the White House was considering Budapest as a venue for the talks.
Tusk highlighted the historical significance of Budapest in relation to Ukraine's territorial integrity guarantees. He referenced the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom pledged to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and borders. Tusk remarked on social media that holding negotiations in Budapest would be ironic given this history, stating, "Budapest? Not everyone remembers this, but in 1994 Ukraine already received guarantees of territorial integrity from the USA, Russia, and Great Britain. In Budapest. Maybe I’m superstitious, but this time I would try to find another place."
The Polish Prime Minister's opposition is rooted in the symbolic weight of the 1994 agreement, which many view as having been violated by Russia's actions in Ukraine. His comments came amid discussions in Washington about possible venues for peace talks between Putin and Zelensky, with Budapest reportedly favored due to Hungary's ties with both the Kremlin and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Donald Tusk's statement was reported by multiple news outlets including HotNews.ro, Kyiv Post, and 112.ua, all citing his social media posts and public remarks made on August 20, 2025. The White House has not officially confirmed the venue for the proposed summit as of this date.
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