Trump Cancels Planned Putin Summit Over Ukraine Ceasefire Dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump has indefinitely paused plans for a second summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest amid ongoing disagreements over a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Despite an earlier announcement following a "productive" call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the meeting was shelved after Russia rejected Trump's proposal for a ceasefire that would freeze current frontlines, particularly in the Donbas region. Trump has also faced criticism for reportedly pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cede territory in exchange for peace and for refusing Kyiv's request for Tomahawk missiles. European leaders and Ukraine have opposed any deal that would see Ukraine give up land, emphasizing the need for a sustainable peace solution rather than a temporary ceasefire. The Kremlin noted that serious preparation is needed before any future talks, underscoring the complexities of the conflict and diplomacy. While Trump remains open to future discussions, no immediate plans exist for a meeting with Putin, reflecting the stalemate in efforts to resolve the war.