Planned Trump-Putin Meeting Delayed Amid Diplomatic Strains
The anticipated meeting between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been postponed, according to a U.S. official. The meeting, initially scheduled to occur soon in Budapest, Hungary, hit a snag following discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
European leaders have expressed relief over the delay, fearing Putin’s diplomatic maneuvers aim to buy time while gaining military advantages in Ukraine. Leaders from the UK, France, and Germany voiced opposition to any agreements that would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, a notion Trump has suggested in the past.
Plans are underway to utilize frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s military efforts. This move, however, raises concerns about its legality and potential repercussions.
Though Trump has not addressed the change in plans publicly, the Kremlin seems in no hurry to reschedule. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the necessity of “serious preparation” for such a meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities by acquiring long-range Tomahawk missiles from the U.S. Despite Trump’s indecisiveness on supplying these weapons, Zelenskyy remains hopeful, stating, “We need to end this war, and only pressure will lead to peace.”
Zelenskyy noted that potential U.S. missile support prompted a diplomatic call from Putin to Trump, but any easing of pressure led to a return to diplomatic stalling by Russia.
Trump is scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, focusing on discussions around military support for Ukraine, particularly weapons purchases by Canada and European countries from the U.S.
In recent months, Trump’s stance on the Ukraine conflict has fluctuated. Initially advocating for Ukrainian concessions, Trump’s frustration with Putin has grown. Despite once believing his rapport with Putin could resolve the conflict, Trump now contends that Ukraine might reclaim all lost territories, yet he remains skeptical.
Some European and Ukrainian officials fear that a halt in fighting at current lines could allow Russia future opportunities for aggression, as Moscow occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukraine. The leaders of several European nations and EU officials have shown strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
As diplomatic activities intensify, more economic sanctions against Russia are expected to be on the agenda at an EU summit in Brussels. “We must ramp up the pressure on Russia’s economy and its defense industry, until Putin is ready to make peace,” European leaders stated.
Further updates can be followed on the Associated Press’s Ukraine coverage at AP News – Russia-Ukraine.
