by 
Meeting Put on Hold
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin will not meet in the coming weeks.
The leaders were expected to discuss a potential peace plan for Ukraine during a summit in Budapest. However, the event has now been postponed indefinitely.
Trump told reporters in Washington that he does not want a “wasted meeting” if Moscow refuses to make real concessions. He said the talks will happen only when there is “visible progress toward peace.”
Moscow’s Position and Rising Tension
Kremlin officials said no date has been set and that a meeting requires “serious preparation and a constructive atmosphere.”
Russia continues to insist on maintaining control over parts of eastern Ukraine. This stance blocks any real progress on peace negotiations.
Across Europe, reactions were mixed but mostly cautious. Poland and Germany supported the delay, calling it a “necessary pause.”
Poland even warned that Putin cannot cross its airspace because of the International Criminal Court warrant issued for his arrest.
How the Talks Collapsed
Just a week ago, Trump said he was preparing for a “historic meeting in Budapest.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was expected to act as mediator.
Yet after a call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, both sides agreed to pause all preparations.
Diplomatic sources later revealed that Washington had rejected Moscow’s latest proposals.
U.S. officials argued that Russia’s terms would legitimize its control over occupied Ukrainian territory, which the U.S. and Europe refuse to recognize.
Reaction from Europe and Ukraine
European Union leaders urged the United States not to restart talks without clear commitments from the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Washington’s stance.
He said a meeting “for show” would only benefit Moscow and weaken global trust in peace negotiations.
Still, some Western analysts warn that a long diplomatic pause could make future talks harder. It might also increase uncertainty among NATO allies about Washington’s next steps.
The Broader Message
By delaying the summit, Trump is showing strategic patience.
The White House wants to pressure Moscow while avoiding a meeting that produces no results.
It also sends a signal at home: Trump positions himself as firm but pragmatic, open to peace — yet unwilling to compromise U.S. credibility.
Experts believe the next two months will be crucial.
If Russia softens its demands, the Budapest summit could still take place before the end of the year.
Until then, U.S.–Russia relations remain tense and fragile.
