Preparations for Trump-Putin Meeting Delayed Days Following Budapest Negotiations Announced

Trump and Putin
Putin and Trump last met in August in Alaska and the US president had said further talks would occur in the Hungarian capital

There are "no preparations" for American leader Donald Trump to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "in the immediate future", a administration representative has announced.

This past week the US president indicated he and the Russian president would meet in Budapest soon to address the war in Ukraine.

A planning session between US Secretary of State Secretary Rubio and his opposite number Foreign Minister Lavrov was due to be held this week - but the administration said the two had had a "productive" call and that a meeting was no longer "necessary".

The White House withheld further information on the reason the negotiations had been postponed.

Earlier Events

Trump had raised the possibility of a Hungarian meeting via telephone with Putin, a just prior to meeting Ukrainian President President Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Certain accounts suggested his meeting with the Ukrainian leader had been a "contentious discussion", with insiders claiming the president had urged him to give up extensive regions of eastern Ukraine as part of a agreement with Russia.

However, on Monday Trump supported a ceasefire proposal supported by Ukraine and European leaders to halt the conflict on the existing battle lines.

"Freeze the lines where it stands," he remarked.

Russia has repeatedly pushed back against halting the existing front lines.

Moscow was only interested in "permanent resolution", Russia's foreign minister stated on this week, implying that freezing the front line would merely represent a brief pause.

Negotiating Stances

The "fundamental issues" of the hostilities demanded attention, the Russian diplomat emphasized, using Kremlin shorthand for a set of extensive requirements that include the recognition of total Russian authority over the eastern region as well as the military reduction of the country – a unacceptable proposition for Kyiv and its EU supporters.

Zelensky commented conversations concerning the front line were the "commencement of dialogue" but that Moscow was "doing everything" to prevent dialogue.

He also said the exclusive issue that could make Moscow "take notice" was that of the supply of long-range weapons to the Ukrainian military.

Military Considerations

Putin's spontaneous discussion with Trump last Thursday preceded rumors that the US was preparing to send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukrainian forces that could possibly hit Russian territory.

Zelensky asserted it was the missile discussion that had compelled Moscow to engage in discussion. The talk about the weapons systems had turned out to be a "valuable contribution" in diplomacy", he added.

Ralph Shepherd
Ralph Shepherd

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine mechanics and casino industry trends.