As U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin prepare for an upcoming summit in Budapest, Hungary, residents of Russia and Ukraine remain cautiously hopeful yet skeptical about the prospects of ending the ongoing conflict. The meeting, agreed upon during a recent phone call, follows Trump’s scheduled discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. However, expectations for a major breakthrough remain low, given the lack of progress in previous talks. Artyom Kondratov, a 36-year-old Moscow resident, expressed doubts, stating, ‘When they meet, I don’t think anything will be achieved quickly.’ He anticipates minor advancements, such as prisoner exchanges and the return of children, but no significant resolutions. Alexander Fedotov, another Moscow resident, believes Trump’s efforts could yield results, noting, ‘Trump isn’t going to Europe for nothing. I think there will be progress.’ Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the mood is less optimistic. Marichka Fartushna, an army medic, criticized the previous meetings as unproductive, asserting, ‘Trump has clearly shown his position. He is not for Ukraine.’ Despite the skepticism, Ukrainian veteran Ivan Balatskyi remains hopeful for continued U.S. support, emphasizing Ukraine’s readiness to fight until the end. The summit comes over three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and more than a decade after the annexation of Crimea, with many weary of the prolonged conflict. Svetlana, a 55-year-old resident of Sevastopol, voiced a common sentiment: ‘I wish everyone well and peace. We’re all waiting for this, all Russians want it.’
Russians and Ukrainians expect no major breakthrough at planned Trump-Putin summit
