Washington (TDI): A planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been postponed, as Russia’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine has cast doubt over the potential for negotiations.
Trump had previously stated that a meeting with Putin was expected to take place soon, specifically in Budapest, Hungary. However, a US official clarified that no meeting is scheduled in the near future, despite earlier discussions between Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to media reports.
The Trump administration had hoped to facilitate another high-level meeting following a lackluster summit in Alaska earlier this year. However, Moscow has insisted that Ukraine must make territorial concessions before considering any ceasefire, which has complicated the situation.
The Kremlin has stated that the summit’s timing is still uncertain, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasizing that further preparation is necessary. As of now, no firm date has been agreed upon.
Read More:Â Trump to Meet Putin Once Again in Hopes of Diplomatic End to War in Ukraine
On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, but there are no immediate plans for an in-person meeting between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, the situation in Ukraine remains tense. President Zelensky expressed frustration that Russia appears to be retreating from diplomatic talks, especially as the US delayed its decision on providing long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
Read More:Â Trump Confirms Call with Putin, Voices Optimism on Ukraine Peace Deal
Zelensky has argued that the deployment of such missiles could encourage Russia to reconsider its stance on peace talks. European leaders have urged the US to press for an immediate ceasefire, stressing that negotiations should start with the current lines of control as a foundation.
This uncertainty surrounding the summit, combined with the ongoing military situation, continues to hinder progress toward peace in the region.
