Donald Trump delays Putin talks amid Ukraine tensions

Donald Trump has said he does not want to waste time meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, after plans for a summit in Budapest were put on hold. The White House confirmed on Tuesday that there were “no plans” for a meeting between the two leaders, as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine stalled once again.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Donald Trump told reporters he did not want a “wasted meeting.” He said discussions with Moscow would only resume if there were a realistic chance of progress. “I don’t want to waste time,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”

The decision reflects growing frustration in Washington over Russia’s unwillingness to halt its military offensive. Donald Trump indicated that the key sticking point remains the Kremlin’s refusal to stop fighting along the current front line in eastern Ukraine.

Donald Trump postpones Budapest summit plans

The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was first announced last week and expected to take place in Budapest, Hungary. It was seen as a potential breakthrough in months of failed negotiations. However, officials said the president grew concerned that Moscow had shown no flexibility in its demands.

The cancellation followed a phone call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to the State Department, Lavrov reiterated that Russia’s position had not changed since the Alaska summit held earlier this year. Moscow continues to demand that Ukrainian troops withdraw from contested regions, including parts of the Donbas.

A White House official said Donald Trump wanted “a meaningful discussion, not a symbolic handshake.” He reportedly decided to pause talks until a clearer path toward a ceasefire was established. Read another article on Kamala Harris and Trump’s criticism

Donald Trump gains cautious support in Europe.

European leaders welcomed the decision by Donald Trump to delay the meeting. Many of them feared that a rushed summit could weaken Western unity over Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement supporting Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire.

They said the current front line should serve as a starting point for negotiations, though Kyiv should not be pressured into surrendering territory. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Premier Donald Tusk were among those backing the move. The European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen also endorsed the call for peace talks based on existing battle lines.

Despite this show of unity, European diplomats expressed concern that a frozen conflict could allow Russia to regroup. They warned that without a full peace settlement, occupied areas might serve as launch points for future attacks.

Donald Trump and Zelensky discuss Tomahawk missiles

The decision to shelve the Budapest summit came just days after Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The meeting was tense, with discussions centered on Kyiv’s request for Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Ukraine has asked the United States to provide the long-range weapons to strike Russian military infrastructure deep inside the occupied territory. The missiles, which can reach targets over 1,000 miles away, are seen by Kyiv as essential to pressuring Moscow back to the negotiating table.

Donald Trump has wavered on whether to approve the shipment. Supporters of the move say it would strengthen Ukraine’s hand; critics warn it could escalate the conflict. Zelenskyy later said on social media that “only pressure will lead to peace” and noted that Putin became more interested in diplomacy when the Tomahawk option was discussed.

Donald Trump adjusts his stance on the Ukraine war

Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump’s position on the war has evolved. Early in the conflict, he suggested Ukraine might need to consider territorial compromises to end the fighting. More recently, he hinted that Kyiv could reclaim lost ground if Western support continued.

Last month, Donald Trump said Ukraine might “win back” all its territory. But after his call with Vladimir Putin last week, he appeared to shift again, telling reporters that both sides should “stop where they are.” He has described this approach as a way to “cut and stop at the battle line,” believing that a freeze could halt further bloodshed.

Ukrainian officials rejected any plan that would formalize Russian control of occupied regions. They fear a temporary ceasefire could allow Moscow to rebuild its forces and launch another offensive later. Visit our homepage for more information.

Donald Trump to meet NATO’s Mark Rutte.
 

With the Budapest meeting off the table, Donald Trump is now turning to coordination with allies. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House to discuss ongoing military assistance to Ukraine.

A summit of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 35 nations supporting Ukraine, will take place in London on Friday. The alliance has been coordinating arms deliveries, with many European countries purchasing American-made weapons for Kyiv’s defense.

Officials say Donald Trump is seeking to maintain allied unity while addressing domestic concerns over the cost of prolonged military aid. His aides argue that continued Western cooperation is essential for any lasting peace.

Donald Trump considers using frozen Russian assets

Another major topic for the administration is how to finance Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. European Union leaders and G7 members are advancing plans to use frozen Russian central bank assets — worth about €140 billion — to support Kyiv.

Donald Trump has expressed tentative support for the idea, though he has not fully committed. The money, mostly held in Belgium through the financial clearinghouse Euroclear, would be structured as a loan against future Russian reparations. The proposal would allow Ukraine to begin rebuilding its economy while the war continues.

European officials said the initiative would ensure Ukraine has the resources to sustain its defense through 2026. Donald Trump is reviewing the plan’s legal implications but said he agrees with the principle of “making Russia pay for the damage it caused.”

Donald Trump insists on preparation before any summit

The Kremlin has also urged caution over resuming direct talks. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that any meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin would require “serious preparation.” He added that Moscow saw “no reason for hasty diplomacy” without clear groundwork.

In Washington, administration officials echoed that view. They said the president was open to discussions but only if Russia demonstrated a genuine willingness to compromise. One senior adviser described the Budapest summit as “a tool, not a trophy,” emphasizing that Trump wants results, not photo opportunities.

Donald Trump faces pressure to deliver diplomatic results

At home and abroad, Donald Trump is under growing pressure to prove that his personal diplomacy can achieve what previous negotiations have not. His belief that strong leaders can strike deals directly has shaped much of his foreign policy, from North Korea to Russia.

However, critics argue that Vladimir Putin has repeatedly used talks to buy time and that the U.S. should focus on strengthening Ukraine’s position instead. Supporters say that even if the Budapest meeting is delayed, Donald Trump remains the only Western leader who might convince Putin to accept a ceasefire.

For now, the White House says the door to diplomacy remains open, but progress will depend on Russia’s actions on the battlefield.

Donald Trump calls for peace but stays cautious.

As the week ends, Donald Trump continues to balance hope for peace with caution about timing. He told reporters that any future summit must be “worth the effort” and should only occur when both sides are ready to talk seriously.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said. “There’s a lot of talk, but I don’t want to meet unless we can move toward ending the war.”

The postponement of the Budapest summit underscores the difficulty of finding common ground after nearly four years of fighting. For Donald Trump, the challenge now lies in keeping allies united, maintaining pressure on Russia, and avoiding a “wasted meeting” that yields no progress. Read another article on Zelensky White House visit

FAQs

1. Why did Donald Trump postpone his meeting with Vladimir Putin?
   Donald Trump said he did not want a “wasted meeting” and decided to delay the Budapest summit until Russia shows genuine interest in a ceasefire or meaningful peace negotiations.
2. What was the purpose of the Budapest summit?
   The planned meeting was intended to discuss options for ending the war in Ukraine and finding a ceasefire agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. It was canceled due to a lack of progress in preliminary talks.
3. How have European leaders responded to Donald Trump’s decision?
   Most European leaders welcomed the move, saying a premature meeting could have weakened Western unity. They support Trump’s call for a ceasefire but insist Ukraine should not be pressured into territorial concessions.
4. What is Ukraine asking from the United States?
   Ukraine has requested Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike Russian military targets. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes increased pressure on Moscow will improve chances for peace.

5. What are frozen Russian assets, and how might they be used?
Around €140 billion in Russian central bank reserves, frozen since the invasion, could be used to finance Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. Donald Trump has expressed cautious support for this EU and G7 initiative.