A planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been postponed as Moscow rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, stalling diplomatic efforts to end the war. A senior White House official told Reuters there are “no plans for President Trump to meet President Putin in the immediate future,” following a call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, which was described as “productive” but inconclusive.
Trump had announced plans to meet Putin in Hungary to push for peace, but Russia remains firm in its demand for Ukraine to cede additional territory before any ceasefire. The Kremlin’s recent communique reaffirmed Moscow’s insistence on full control of the Donbas region, rejecting Trump’s proposal to freeze the frontlines. Currently, Russia controls all of Luhansk and about 75% of Donetsk.
European leaders have urged Washington to maintain its stance on an immediate ceasefire, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte traveling to Washington to discuss European perspectives on negotiations. Despite optimism following Trump’s earlier phone calls with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the planned preparatory meeting between Rubio and Lavrov in Budapest has been canceled, signaling deep divisions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that “no date has been finalized” for the summit, emphasizing the need for “serious preparation.” European diplomats believe the U.S. will not proceed unless Moscow shows flexibility. “The Russians wanted too much,” one diplomat said, noting that Washington sees no benefit in a meeting without concessions.
European powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, continue to support Trump’s call for fighting to stop immediately, using current battle lines as a negotiation basis. However, uncertainty remains over when, or if, the Trump-Putin summit will occur, as geopolitical tensions and mistrust overshadow diplomatic progress.