Trump Shelves Planned Talks with Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended his planned face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing that he did not want a “wasted meeting.” The discussion, originally set to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, was called off amid Moscow’s continued refusal to halt fighting along the current front line.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said, “I don’t want to have a meeting that leads nowhere. Let’s see what happens.” His comment follows an earlier announcement from U.S. officials that no immediate plans exist for a Trump-Putin summit, despite earlier talk of a Budapest meeting within weeks.
Growing Divide Between U.S. and Russia on Peace Terms
According to diplomatic sources, major differences have emerged between U.S. and Russian peace proposals, significantly reducing the likelihood of progress. The last Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska ended without meaningful results — a scenario the White House appears keen to avoid repeating.
A senior European diplomat remarked, “It became clear that the Russians wanted too much, and there was no real deal possible for Trump in Budapest.”
U.S. Backs Ceasefire — Russia Refuses to Yield
On Monday, Trump endorsed a ceasefire plan supported by Ukraine and European allies, suggesting both sides should freeze the conflict where it stands.
“Let it be cut the way it is,” he said. “Stop fighting, stop killing people.”
However, Moscow firmly rejected the idea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s stance “has not changed,” insisting Ukraine must withdraw completely from Donbas and other eastern regions. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added that Russia seeks a “long-term, sustainable peace,” dismissing any front-line freeze as a “temporary truce.”
Zelensky Pushes for Stronger U.S. Support
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that talks about front-line boundaries are only the beginning of diplomacy, accusing Moscow of avoiding genuine peace efforts. He argued that long-range weapons—like the proposed Tomahawk missiles—are the only tools that make Russia “pay attention.”
Reports suggest that Trump’s recent meeting with Zelensky at the White House turned tense, with Trump allegedly urging Ukraine to surrender parts of Donbas — a move Zelensky rejected outright.
Meanwhile, a phone call between Putin and Trump reportedly took place after speculation that Washington was considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, further heightening diplomatic friction.
A Stalemate in Search of Peace
European leaders jointly issued a statement accusing Moscow of not being “serious” about peace and backing Ukraine’s call to freeze current positions as a first step.
As both sides dig deeper into their positions, Trump’s once-confident claim that he could “end the war in 24 hours” now seems increasingly out of reach.