Putin-Trump talks in Budapest on hold after Russia rejects ceasefire

Moscow seeks more territory, but US wants freeze of front lines at current sites

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Residents cleaning up after their apartment building was damaged by a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Oct 22. European leaders called on the US on Oct 21 to hold firm in demanding an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, with present battle lines to serve as the basis for any future talks.

(REUTERS)

A planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was put on hold on Oct 21, as Moscow’s rejection of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine cast a cloud over attempts at negotiations.

A senior White House official told Reuters that “there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future” after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a “productive call” but opted against an in-person meeting.

Mr Trump had announced last week that he and Mr Putin would meet soon in Hungary to try to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

But Mr Putin has been unwilling to consider concessions. Moscow has long demanded that Ukraine agree to cede more territory before any ceasefire.

Mr Trump, asked by reporters about the prospect for a summit, said he did not want to have a “wasted meeting” but suggested there could be more developments and that “we'll be notifying you over the next two days” about them.

Mr Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s investment envoy, said in a social media post that “preparations continue” for a summit.

Russia reiterated its longstanding terms for a peace deal in a private communique known as a “non paper” that it sent to the US last weekend, according to two US officials and a person familiar with the situation.