Trump Freezes Putin Summit Plan: Doesn't Want to "Waste Time" Due to Russia's Refusal to Halt Fighting at Current Frontline

US President Donald Trump announced he does not want to "waste time meeting" with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, following the suspension of a planned direct summit concerning the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump indicated that the core obstacle leading to the summit's cancellation was Moscow's refusal to cease fighting along the current frontline.

Trump's remarks confirmed an earlier statement by a White House official that "there are no plans" for a meeting between the two leaders "in the near future," despite Trump having said last week that they would meet in Budapest within two weeks.

Summit Frozen Over "Excessive Demands"

The fundamental differences between the American and Russian peace proposals became clearer this week, effectively derailing the summit plans. A senior European diplomat told Reuters: "I think the Russians asked for too much, and it became clear to the Americans there would be no deal for Trump in Budapest."

Last Monday, Trump had publicly endorsed a ceasefire proposal backed by Kyiv and European leaders, which calls for freezing the conflict along the current line of contact. Trump stated: "Let things be settled as they are... Cut it off and stop at the battle line. Go home. Stop fighting, stop killing people."

Russia Insists on "Sustainable Peace" with Hardline Conditions

Russia has repeatedly rejected freezing the current frontline. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that the "Russian position remains unchanged," referring to Moscow's insistence on the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the disputed eastern regions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized on Tuesday that Moscow is only interested in "long-term, sustainable peace," asserting that freezing the frontline is merely a temporary ceasefire. Lavrov stressed the need to address the "root causes of the conflict," using Kremlin terminology for hardline demands, including full recognition of Russian sovereignty over the Donbas region and the disarmament of Ukraine.

Ukrainian and European Stance

In response, European leaders issued a joint statement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirming that any talks to end the war must begin by freezing the current frontline, and accused Russia of lacking seriousness in pursuing peace.

Zelenskyy indicated that debating the frontline represents the "beginning of diplomacy," stressing that the only subject that can truly capture Moscow's attention is the provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine (like the anticipated Tomahawk missiles). Zelenskyy had previously resisted pressure from Trump to concede large territories in Donetsk and Luhansk.