Arrangements for Trump-Putin Meeting Shelved Days After Budapest Talks Proposed

Trump and Putin
Putin and Trump previously convened in August in Alaska and the American leader had stated additional discussions would occur in Budapest

Currently exist "no preparations" for US President President Trump to confer with Russia's Vladimir Putin "in the near term", a White House official has declared.

Last Thursday the US president indicated he and the Kremlin leader would hold talks in Hungary's capital soon to address the Ukraine conflict.

A planning session between US Secretary of State Secretary Rubio and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov was scheduled to occur recently - but the administration stated the two had had a "constructive" conversation and that a meeting was not "required".

The White House declined to provide additional specifics on the reason the negotiations had been delayed.

Earlier Events

The US president had discussed a Budapest summit during a call with the Russian leader, a day before hosting Ukrainian President President Zelensky in the White House.

Some reports indicated his talks with the Ukrainian leader had been a "contentious discussion", with insiders claiming Trump had urged him to cede significant territories of Ukraine's east as part of a settlement with Moscow.

However, on this week the American president embraced a truce plan supported by Ukraine and EU officials to halt the hostilities on the existing battle lines.

"Freeze the lines the way it is," he stated.

Moscow has repeatedly pushed back against halting the current line of contact.

The Russian government was solely focused on "long-term, sustainable peace", Lavrov stated on this week, implying that freezing the front line would simply constitute a brief pause.

Political Perspectives

The "root causes" of the hostilities demanded attention, the Russian diplomat stated, using Kremlin shorthand for a series of extensive requirements that include the recognition of full Russian sovereignty over the Donbas as well as the disarmament of the country – a impossible condition for Kyiv and its European partners.

Zelensky stated discussions about the battle positions were the "beginning of diplomacy" but that Russia was "taking all measures" to avoid diplomacy.

He additionally stated the only topic that could cause Russia to "take notice" was that of the provision of extended-range arms to Ukraine.

Weapons Discussions

Putin's spontaneous discussion with Trump last Thursday preceded rumors that the US was considering delivering long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukrainian forces that could possibly hit deep into Russia.

The Ukrainian leader stated it was the missile discussion that had pressured the Kremlin to enter into dialogue. The discussion regarding the weapons systems had emerged as a "strong investment" in negotiations", he commented.

Christina Simmons
Christina Simmons

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in investigative reporting and political analysis, focusing on European affairs.