The White House has confirmed that there are “no plans” for US President Donald Trump to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “in the immediate future,” despite Trump’s earlier statement that the two leaders would hold discussions in Budapest within two weeks. The proposed meeting was expected to focus on efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to a senior White House official, a preparatory meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov initially set for this week was called off after the two held what was described as a “productive” phone conversation. Officials stated that a face-to-face meeting was no longer “necessary,” though no further explanation was given for the delay.
Last Thursday, Trump indicated optimism about direct talks with Putin, suggesting that both sides were ready to explore “practical solutions” to bring stability to the region. However, the sudden cancellation has raised fresh questions about Washington’s diplomatic strategy and its approach to resolving the Ukraine crisis.
On Monday, President Trump appeared to endorse the idea of freezing the Ukrainian conflict along the current front lines. “Let it be cut the way it is,” he remarked, referring to the heavily contested Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. The comment drew mixed reactions internationally, with analysts suggesting it might signal a shift toward a de facto ceasefire rather than a negotiated settlement.
Moscow has firmly rejected any notion of freezing the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated on Tuesday that Russia seeks “long-term, sustainable peace,” and warned that halting the war at current positions would only result in a temporary ceasefire.
The White House has not indicated when — or if — the postponed Trump-Putin talks might be rescheduled, leaving uncertainty over the next steps in US-Russia diplomacy amid the grinding war in Ukraine.
