Preparations for Putin-Trump Talks Delayed Days Following Budapest Talks Proposed
Currently exist "no arrangements" for US President Donald Trump to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "anytime soon", a White House official has announced.
Recently the US president stated he and the Russian president would meet in Budapest in the coming fortnight to address the Ukraine conflict.
A planning session between US Secretary of State Secretary Rubio and his Russian counterpart Foreign Minister Lavrov was scheduled to occur recently - but the White House clarified the two had had a "constructive" discussion and that a face-to-face session was no longer "necessary".
The administration withheld any more details on why the talks had been delayed.
Background Context
Trump had discussed a Hungarian meeting via telephone with Putin, a just prior to hosting Ukraine's President Zelensky in the White House.
Some reports indicated his meeting with Zelensky had been a "shouting match", with insiders suggesting the president had pressured him to relinquish extensive regions of eastern Ukraine as part of a deal with Russia.
Yet, on Monday Trump embraced a truce plan endorsed by Ukraine and European leaders to pause the conflict on the current front line.
"Let it be cut where it stands," he stated.
Russia has frequently resisted against halting the current line of contact.
The Russian government was exclusively seeking "long-term, sustainable peace", Lavrov said on this week, indicating that pausing conflict would only amount to a temporary ceasefire.
Diplomatic Positions
The "fundamental issues" of the conflict required resolution, Lavrov stated, using Kremlin shorthand for a series of extensive requirements that include the acceptance of full Russian sovereignty over the Donbas as well as the demilitarisation of Ukraine – a impossible condition for Ukraine and its Western allies.
Zelensky commented conversations concerning the front line were the "start of negotiations" but that Russia was "taking all measures" to prevent dialogue.
He further commented the sole subject that could make Moscow "become engaged" was that of the provision of distance-capable munitions to Ukraine.
Weapons Discussions
Putin's unscheduled call with Trump last Thursday came ahead of speculation that the US was considering delivering distance-capable weapons to Ukraine that could possibly hit Russian territory.
Zelensky stated it was the weapons consideration that had forced Russia to participate in talks. The discussion regarding the missiles had emerged as a "significant input" in diplomacy", he remarked.