Arrangements for Putin-Trump Talks Delayed Shortly After Budapest Talks Suggested

There are "no plans" for US President President Trump to meet Russia's Putin "in the near term", a White House official has stated.

Recently Trump stated he and the Russian president would conduct negotiations in Hungary's capital soon to discuss the war in Ukraine.

A initial discussion between America's top diplomat Secretary Rubio and his Russian counterpart Foreign Minister Lavrov was scheduled to occur recently - but the administration said the two had had a "productive" conversation and that a meeting was no longer "required".

The administration did not share any more details on why the talks had been delayed.

Earlier Events

The US president had discussed a Budapest summit during a call with the Russian leader, a just prior to meeting Ukrainian President President Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Certain accounts claimed his meeting with the Ukrainian leader had been a "shouting match", with those familiar indicating Trump had pushed him to relinquish large areas of Ukraine's east as part of a settlement with Russia.

However, on Monday the American president endorsed a peace initiative supported by Ukraine and EU officials to pause the conflict on the existing battle lines.

"Leave it as is the way it is," he said.

Moscow has frequently resisted against halting the existing front lines.

The Russian government was solely focused on "long-term, sustainable peace", Lavrov said on Tuesday, suggesting that halting hostilities would merely represent a temporary ceasefire.

Political Perspectives

The "underlying reasons" of the war needed to be addressed, the Russian diplomat stated, using Kremlin shorthand for a range of extensive requirements that involve the acceptance of complete Moscow control over the Donbas as well as the demilitarisation of the country – a unacceptable proposition for Kyiv and its Western allies.

The Ukrainian president stated conversations concerning the current lines were the "start of negotiations" but that Russia was "taking all measures" to prevent dialogue.

He further commented the exclusive issue that could cause Russia to "take notice" was that of the provision of extended-range arms to Ukraine.

Military Considerations

Putin's unplanned conversation with the US leader last Thursday preceded reports that the US was considering delivering distance-capable weapons to Ukraine that could potentially strike Russian territory.

The Ukrainian leader said it was the missile discussion that had pressured the Kremlin to participate in talks. The discussion regarding the missiles had turned out to be a "strong investment" in negotiations", he commented.