Trump-Putin Ukraine Peace Talks Collapse Amid Russian Rejection of U.S. Terms

President Donald Trump's approach to the Ukraine conflict has been marked by fluctuating stances, including a recent proposal for peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, which have since been postponed. Trump's interactions with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky have been contentious, with reports of Trump warning that Ukraine would be "destroyed" if it did not surrender territory to Russia, echoing Kremlin talking points. Putin has praised Trump’s Middle East efforts and claimed Russia is winning the war in all phases, while opposing the supply of advanced weapons like Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which Trump had considered. Experts and diplomats have criticized Trump’s dealings as naive and suggest he has been manipulated by Putin, with concerns that Trump's eagerness for a peace deal risks forcing Ukraine into an unjust surrender that would enable further Russian aggression. Zelensky's resilience in the face of Trump's pressure has been noted, highlighting the stark contrast between their approaches. The proposed Trump-Putin summit's cancellation underscores the complexity and high stakes in resolving the war, reflecting deep divisions over Ukraine's sovereignty and Russia's ambitions.