Arrangements for Trump-Putin Talks Postponed Shortly Following Hungarian Capital Negotiations Proposed

Trump and Putin
Putin and Trump last met in August in Alaska and the US president had said further talks would take place in Budapest

There are "no arrangements" for US President Donald Trump to confer with Russia's Putin "anytime soon", a White House official has declared.

This past week the US president stated he and the Russian president would meet in Hungary's capital soon to address the war in Ukraine.

A preparatory meeting between America's top diplomat Secretary Rubio and his Russian counterpart Foreign Minister Lavrov was planned for recently - but the administration said the two had had a "constructive" discussion and that a meeting was no longer "necessary".

The administration did not share further information on why the talks had been delayed.

Earlier Events

Trump had raised the possibility of a Budapest summit via telephone with Putin, a just prior to hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Some reports suggested his talks with Zelensky had been a "shouting match", with insiders suggesting Trump had pushed him to relinquish large areas of eastern Ukraine as part of a settlement with Moscow.

Yet, on this week the American president endorsed a peace initiative supported by Kyiv and European leaders to halt the hostilities on the existing battle lines.

"Freeze the lines in its current state," he said.

Russia has consistently objected against halting the existing front lines.

The Russian government was exclusively seeking "enduring stability", Russia's foreign minister said on this week, indicating that halting hostilities would only amount to a temporary ceasefire.

Political Perspectives

The "root causes" of the hostilities needed to be addressed, Lavrov said, using Kremlin shorthand for a series of extensive requirements that involve the acceptance of complete Moscow control over the eastern region as well as the disarmament of Ukraine – a impossible condition for Kyiv and its Western allies.

Zelensky said talks regarding the current lines were the "commencement of dialogue" but that Russia was "employing all tactics" to evade negotiations.

He also said the sole subject that could cause Russia to "pay attention" was that of the delivery of distance-capable munitions to Ukraine.

Weapons Discussions

Putin's spontaneous discussion with the US leader last Thursday preceded reports that the US was considering delivering extended-range cruise missiles to Ukraine that could potentially strike inside Russia.

The Ukrainian leader said it was the missile discussion that had pressured the Kremlin to engage in discussion. The conversation concerning the weapons systems had emerged as a "significant input" in diplomacy", he remarked.

Sheena Martin
Sheena Martin

A digital nomad and minimalist lifestyle coach, sharing strategies for intentional living and sustainable habits.