Preparations for Trump-Putin Talks Shelved Shortly Following Budapest Talks Announced

Trump and Putin
Trump and Putin last met in August in Alaska and the American leader had stated further discussions would take place in Budapest

There are "no plans" for US President Donald Trump to confer with Russia's Vladimir Putin "in the near term", a administration representative has declared.

Recently Trump said he and the Russian president would conduct negotiations in Hungary's capital soon to discuss the ongoing hostilities.

A initial discussion between US Secretary of State Secretary Rubio and his opposite number Sergei Lavrov was due to be held recently - but the White House clarified the two had had a "productive" call and that a meeting was no longer "required".

The administration declined to provide further information on the reason the negotiations had been postponed.

Earlier Events

The US president had raised the possibility of a Hungarian meeting via telephone with Putin, a day before meeting Ukrainian President President Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Some reports claimed his talks with the Ukrainian leader had been a "heated exchange", with those familiar indicating the president had pushed him to give up extensive regions of eastern Ukraine as part of a settlement with Russia.

Yet, on Monday Trump endorsed a ceasefire proposal backed by Ukraine and EU officials to freeze the conflict on the existing battle lines.

"Freeze the lines the way it is," he said.

Russia has consistently objected against halting the existing front lines.

Moscow was only interested in "long-term, sustainable peace", Russia's foreign minister commented on this week, implying that freezing the front line would only amount to a temporary ceasefire.

Negotiating Stances

The "root causes" of the conflict needed to be addressed, the Russian diplomat emphasized, using Russian diplomatic language for a set of extensive requirements that encompass the acceptance of total Russian authority over the Donbas as well as the disarmament of the country – a unacceptable proposition for Ukraine and its EU supporters.

The Ukrainian president said talks regarding the battle positions were the "commencement of dialogue" but that Moscow was "doing everything" to avoid diplomacy.

He further commented the only topic that could cause Russia to "pay attention" was that of the provision of distance-capable munitions to the Ukrainian military.

Military Considerations

Putin's spontaneous discussion with Trump recently occurred before reports that the US was planning to provide extended-range cruise missiles to Ukrainian forces that could potentially strike Russian territory.

The Ukrainian leader stated it was the missile discussion that had forced Russia to participate in talks. The conversation concerning the weapons systems had proven to be a "significant input" in international relations", he remarked.

Victor Warren
Victor Warren

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