A scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been postponed due to Russia’s refusal to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. A senior White House official stated that there are no current plans for the two leaders to meet. Trump had previously announced their intention to meet in Hungary to address the conflict in Ukraine, but Putin’s reluctance to make concessions has hindered progress.
Trump expressed hesitation about holding a summit if it would not be fruitful, mentioning the possibility of further developments in the coming days. Despite this, Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, indicated that preparations for the summit are ongoing. Russia reiterated its conditions for a peace agreement in a confidential communication sent to the U.S., emphasizing its demand for control of the Donbas region.
European leaders have urged the U.S. to stand firm on demanding an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine based on the current battle lines. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte traveled to Washington for discussions with Trump, aiming to present European perspectives on a ceasefire and subsequent peace negotiations. The timing and location of the next Trump-Putin summit remain uncertain, with the Kremlin emphasizing the need for thorough preparation.
The postponement of a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggests that progress towards a summit may be challenging without concessions from Moscow. While there has been no official cancellation of the summit, concerns have been raised about the potential lack of significant outcomes if a meeting were to take place without Russian cooperation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over Russia’s diminishing interest in diplomacy following delays in U.S. decisions regarding military aid. European allies are apprehensive about a second Trump-Putin meeting without tangible concessions. Despite varying statements from Trump in the past, his recent endorsement of starting a ceasefire from current positions aligns with European leaders’ stance on the conflict.