Trump Postpones Putin Meeting, Citing Potential Waste of Time on Ukraine Talks

US President Donald Trump has put on hold plans for a rapid meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a desire to avoid a "wasted meeting" or a waste of time amid ongoing efforts to resolve the Ukraine war. The postponement followed a call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with the Kremlin emphasizing the need for serious preparation before any summit. Trump's hesitancy has been welcomed by European leaders who suspect Putin is using diplomacy to stall while advancing militarily. Previously, Trump had pressured Ukraine to cede territory in the Donbas region as part of peace talks, a stance opposed by European allies who support Ukraine's territorial integrity. The US and NATO continue to coordinate military support for Ukraine, while discussions about using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war efforts move forward. Despite Trump's personal rapport with Putin, recent diplomatic attempts have been characterized by frustration and cyclical setbacks, with no immediate meeting scheduled.