STORY: Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday (October 17) he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day as Budapest begins preparations to host a meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump announced on Thursday (October 16) that he would meet Putin in the Hungarian capital to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

Orban, a long-time Trump ally who has also kept close ties with Russia despite the war in Ukraine, said the meeting "will be about peace" and if there is a peace deal, that would lead to a new phase of economic development in Hungary and Europe.

Orban told state radio that the meeting could take place within the next two weeks if the U.S. and Russian foreign ministers manage to settle remaining open issues at a planned meeting next week.

Orban said Europe should open its own diplomatic channels towards Russia and he again accused the EU of taking what he said was a "pro-war stance" over Ukraine.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SPEAKING DURING RADIO INTERVIEW

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (OCTOBER 17, 2025) (VIKTOR ORBAN VIA FACEBOOK - Access all)

1. HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN SPEAKING IN STUDIO DURING RADIO INTERVIEW

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SAYING:

"I spoke, and so in the evening I spoke at length with the president, and we also spoke with the Russians, and as for President Putin, I will speak with him this morning, before noon."

3. INTERVIEW IN PROGRESS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT OF INTERVIEW IN STUDIO)

"There really wasn't much other possibility, if you think about it. So, if they wanted to keep it in Europe, outside Europe there are many places. But if they wanted it in Europe, and the Russian-Ukrainian war is after all a war taking place in Europe, and they looked at the map, and looked at the leaders, then it quickly becomes clear that Budapest is basically the only place in Europe today where such a meeting can be held."

5. INTERVIEW IN PROGRESS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SAYING:

"The president told me, Well, last night or leaning into the night, I already gave the instructions to set up the organizing committee. We have defined the most important tasks, and the work has begun."

7. INTERVIEW IN PROGRESS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SAYING:

"It counts as a political achievement to maintain the situation that Budapest could even be suitable for hosting a peace summit. So I understand that everyone is excited and curious, but I ask everyone for restraint, because this negotiation is not about us, but about peace."

9. INTERVIEW IN PROGRESS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SAYING:

"There is no diplomatic channel, if we don't keep it open, there will never be peace. So the most important lesson for Europeans is that what we are doing is wrong, the war strategies are mistaken, we need a peace strategy to help. The American president should be helped, and alongside that, an independent European-Russian diplomatic channel should also be opened."

11. INTERVIEW IN PROGRESS

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SAYING:

"This is worth it for Hungary, because we cannot earn as much money from anything as from peace. Because war takes our money. If there is peace, then a new phase of economic development can be opened, and that is in the interest of every Hungarian family."

13. INTERVIEW IN PROGRESS