'President would love it': White House on potential Putin-Zelenskyy talks; 'He thinks it's possible', says press secretary Karoline Leavitt

US President Donald Trump would “love” to see Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

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“He thinks it’s possible and would love to see it happen,” Leavitt told reporters on Thursday.

Her comments came shortly after Trump and Putin—who last met in Alaska on August 15— held a phone call ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday.

Following the call, Trump said he and Putin will meet again - in Budapest, Hungary - though he did not specify a date. He added that high-level advisors from both sides will hold preparatory talks next week, suggesting the summit could take place soon. The US leader noted that his delegation will be led by secretary of state Marco Rubio.

During Friday’s meeting, Zelenskyy is expected to push for the supply of Tomahawk missiles and other long-range US weapons capable of striking targets inside Russia.

The war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Russia continues to refer to it as a “special military operation."

(With inputs from ANI)