Plans for a much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest have been paused following renewed tensions over Ukraine peace talks. The two sides failed to reach an agreement on ceasefire terms, raising fresh doubts about diplomatic progress.
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Trump currently has “no plans” to meet Putin after the latest round of negotiations stalled. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held what officials described as a “productive call,” but both sides decided not to move forward with an in-person meeting in Hungary.
Trump had earlier expressed interest in hosting a summit in Budapest to push for an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, Moscow’s refusal to adjust its territorial demands has complicated the process. According to U.S. officials, Russia sent a confidential document reaffirming its demand for full control over the eastern Donbas region, which Washington considers unacceptable.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “serious preparation” was still required for any future summit and confirmed that no dates had been set by either leader.
European allies have urged the U.S. to maintain a firm stance, warning against making concessions to Moscow. Britain, France, Germany, and the European Union issued a joint statement calling for an “immediate ceasefire” based on existing frontlines. A senior European diplomat said the decision to pause the planned Lavrov-Rubio meeting showed that Washington was unwilling to proceed without meaningful progress.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is in Washington this week to discuss the next steps in the Ukraine peace process with President Trump. European officials hope to coordinate a unified strategy amid growing uncertainty.
Trump’s personal involvement in Ukraine diplomacy has sparked mixed reactions. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week, Trump endorsed a ceasefire along the current lines of control, a position welcomed by Kyiv but viewed cautiously in Europe.
The planned venue in Hungary has also raised controversy due to Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s close relationship with Moscow. Poland warned it might block Putin’s flight through EU airspace if the summit were to go ahead, while Bulgaria has said it would allow the passage.
Despite the delay, both Washington and Moscow maintain that dialogue remains possible. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said that “preparations continue” for a potential Trump-Putin meeting in the future.
For now, the breakdown in talks highlights how far apart both sides remain on key issues, leaving the path to peace in Ukraine uncertain.
