Preparations for Trump-Putin Summit Delayed Days After Hungarian Capital Negotiations Suggested

Trump and Putin
Putin and Trump previously convened in late summer in the northern US state and the American leader had stated additional talks would occur in the Hungarian capital

There are "no plans" for US President President Trump to confer with Russian President Vladimir Putin "in the immediate future", a administration representative has stated.

This past week Trump indicated he and the Russian president would meet in Hungary's capital within two weeks to address the Ukraine conflict.

A preparatory meeting between US Secretary of State Secretary Rubio and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov was due to be held this week - but the administration said the two had had a "productive" conversation and that a meeting was not "necessary".

The White House withheld further information on why the talks had been put on hold.

Previous Developments

Trump had raised the possibility of a Hungarian meeting over the phone with Putin, a day before meeting Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House.

Various sources indicated his talks with the Ukrainian leader had been a "contentious discussion", with insiders suggesting Trump had pressured him to give up significant territories of Ukraine's east as part of a deal with Moscow.

However, on Monday Trump embraced a truce plan backed by Ukraine and European leaders to freeze the war on the present positions.

"Let it be cut where it stands," he said.

Russia has consistently objected against pausing the existing front lines.

Moscow was only interested in "enduring stability", Russia's foreign minister said on Tuesday, indicating that pausing conflict would merely represent a temporary ceasefire.

Negotiating Stances

The "underlying reasons" of the war required resolution, the Russian diplomat stated, using Moscow's terminology for a series of extensive requirements that encompass the acknowledgment of total Russian authority over the eastern region as well as the demilitarisation of the country – a impossible condition for Ukraine and its Western allies.

Zelensky said talks regarding the current lines were the "commencement of dialogue" but that Moscow was "employing all tactics" to avoid diplomacy.

He additionally stated the sole subject that could cause Russia to "take notice" was that of the provision of distance-capable munitions to the Ukrainian military.

Military Considerations

Putin's spontaneous discussion with Trump recently came ahead of reports that the US was preparing to send extended-range cruise missiles to Ukrainian forces that could potentially strike Russian territory.

Zelensky asserted it was the missile discussion that had forced Russia to engage in discussion. The conversation concerning the missiles had proven to be a "strong investment" in negotiations", he added.

Sonia Ramirez
Sonia Ramirez

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