A senior White House official said, “there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future,”

following a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Although the discussion was described as “productive,” both sides decided against moving forward with a face-to-face meeting.

President Trump had announced last week that he and Putin would soon meet in Hungary in an effort to broker peace in Ukraine. However, Putin has remained firm in his demands and has refused to make significant concessions. Russia has insisted that Ukraine must agree to give up more territory before a ceasefire can be considered.

According to U.S. officials familiar with the situation, Russia restated its long-standing conditions in a private diplomatic message known as a “non paper,” sent to Washington last weekend. One official explained that the message reaffirmed Moscow’s demand for “full control of the long-contested eastern Donbas region,” thereby dismissing Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire based on freezing the current battle lines.

At present, Russian forces occupy the entire Luhansk province and approximately 75% of neighbouring Donetsk—together forming the Donbas region.

On Tuesday, European leaders urged Washington to stand firm in pushing for a ceasefire that would begin with the current frontlines, and serve as the foundation for further negotiations.

NATO confirmed that Secretary General Mark Rutte traveled to Washington on Tuesday to meet with President Trump. According to two sources familiar with the visit, the talks are expected to take place on Wednesday. A Western official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Rutte intends to share the European view on the need for an immediate ceasefire and the framework for future peace talks.

President Trump, who had a recent phone call with Putin and met last week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had hoped for another high-level meeting with the Russian leader after their August summit in Alaska ended without tangible progress.

However, a scheduled preparatory meeting between Rubio and Lavrov, planned for Thursday in Budapest, has been postponed. During their Monday call, Lavrov stated that the location and timing of the summit were less important than “the substance of implementing the understandings reached in Alaska.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that no date had been finalised and emphasised that “serious preparation” would be needed.

“Listen, we have an understanding of the presidents, but we cannot postpone what has not been finalised,” Peskov said.

“Neither President Trump nor President Putin gave exact dates.”

When asked whether a summit date had even been discussed,

Peskov added: “No, there is no understanding.”

Although no formal cancellation has been announced, the delay of the Budapest meeting signals uncertainty. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who was in Washington on Tuesday, wrote on Facebook:

“We have some serious days ahead.”

Two senior European diplomats said the postponed meeting between Rubio and Lavrov likely indicates that the U.S. will not pursue the summit unless Moscow shows more flexibility. One diplomat commented,

“I guess the Russians wanted too much and it became evident for the Americans that there will be no deal for Trump in Budapest.”

The second diplomat noted,

“The Russians haven’t at all changed their position, and are not agreeing to ‘stop where they are’.

And I assume Lavrov gave the same spiel, and Rubio was like: ‘See you later’.”

Some European governments are concerned that President Trump could meet with Putin without securing real concessions from Moscow. On Tuesday, the leaders of several major European nations, including the UK, France, Germany, and the EU, issued a joint statement saying they

“strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.”

Although Trump’s public stance on Ukraine has shifted at times, following his meeting with Zelenskyy last Friday, he clearly backed the idea that a ceasefire should begin “with forces at their present positions.”

Reports from officials familiar with the meeting say the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy was tense, with the president using strong language and urging Ukraine to consider some of Russia’s demands. However, Zelenskyy described the meeting as a success, pointing to Trump’s public endorsement of Kyiv’s position on a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to join European leaders later this week, first at a European Union summit and then at a gathering of the “coalition of the willing,” where discussions will focus on creating an international security force to oversee any future post-war settlement. Russia has firmly opposed such a force.

The choice of Budapest as a potential summit location has raised concerns among European leaders. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban remains one of the few EU leaders maintaining close ties with Moscow, making the location controversial.

There are also logistical complications. Should Putin travel to Hungary, he would need to pass through EU airspace. On Tuesday, Poland stated it could intercept and arrest him under an international warrant if he flew over its territory. Bulgaria, however, said it would permit Putin’s aircraft to use its airspace for the summit.

Putin warned that supplying such weapons “would harm the peace process and damage U.S.-Russia ties.”

Ukraine’s president is currently in Washington seeking more aid to strengthen Kyiv’s defence as the conflict enters its fourth year.

Trump said, “My whole life, I’ve made deals. I think we’re going to have this one done, hopefully soon.”

Despite Trump’s proven track record as a peacemaker, experts remain skeptical about the chances for a ceasefire.

One former official noted, “The chances of moving toward a ceasefire by pushing Russia to get serious seem to have diminished.”

The planned meeting in Budapest follows upcoming talks between U.S. and Russian officials aimed at reducing tensions. The location has drawn attention due to political sensitivities, and the situation remains delicate as both sides weigh their next moves.

U.S. President Donald Trump has described his high stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “productive,” revealing that the two leaders discussed major territorial and security concessions as part of a potential peace deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“A lot of points were agreed on,” Trump told reporters following the closed-door meeting held in Alaska. “Ukraine has to make a deal. Russia is a very big power and they’re not.”

According to Trump, discussions included land transfers and security guarantees, with a framework for a broader peace initiative “largely agreed” upon during the summit.

While details remain classified, sources close to the talks report that President Putin is demanding formal control over key eastern and southern Ukrainian territories regions already occupied or contested by Russian forces in exchange for a ceasefire and possible withdrawal from other areas.

No Ceasefire Yet, But Groundwork Laid

Despite no formal agreement being signed, both sides described the meeting as constructive. Trump has now placed pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join the next round of trilateral discussions, possibly hosted in Washington, D.C.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done,” Trump said in a post-summit interview. “They’re going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy, President Putin, and myself.”

Trump declined to elaborate on the specific regions Putin is seeking, but multiple sources suggest the demands involve Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea areas Russia has long claimed or annexed.

Context & Reactions

• Ukraine has repeatedly rejected any territorial concessions, insisting that peace must come through full sovereignty restoration.

• NATO allies have voiced concern over any settlement that legitimizes Russia’s occupation.

• Human rights groups warn that any rushed agreement may ignore the long-term consequences for Ukrainian civilians under occupation.

The Trump–Putin meeting is already stirring geopolitical waves, raising both hopes for de-escalation and fears of forced compromises.

The announcement comes just one day after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, where the two leaders discussed efforts to broker a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. While no formal deal was reached, Trump expressed optimism about the potential for future negotiations including a proposed trilateral meeting involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.

“Long and Substantive” Call After Putin Talks

President Zelenskyy revealed on social media that he had a “long and substantive conversation” with Trump following the Alaska summit. The discussion reportedly began as a one on one call, later expanding to include several European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

“President Trump shared the main points from his meeting with President Putin,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “We discussed the way forward, and I expressed Ukraine’s full support for a potential trilateral meeting.”

Trump has yet to disclose details from the Alaska talks, but he indicated that Zelenskyy must now take the lead in pushing toward a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done,” Trump said.

Diplomatic Stakes Remain High

The planned meeting in Washington will likely serve as a critical moment in shaping the next phase of diplomatic engagement over the conflict. International allies, particularly within NATO, are closely monitoring the situation as calls for de-escalation grow louder.

Analysts say Monday’s talks could help lay the groundwork for a landmark trilateral summit  a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the conflict that has dragged on for over four years, displacing millions and destabilizing Europe.

“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” President Trump said during a post-summit statement, adding that further discussions would involve NATO and Kyiv. Notably, no questions were taken from the press after the joint news briefing.

Trump Shifts Focus to Zelensky

Speaking later, President Trump placed the responsibility for the next steps squarely on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that plans are underway for a three-way meeting between himself, Zelensky, and Putin.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump stated. “They’re going to set up a meeting now between President Zelensky and President Putin and myself, I guess.”

Trump declined to share details on the remaining sticking points but emphasized his determination to push for peace.

“I want to make sure it gets done. And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done,” he said.

Despite the lack of a formal agreement, Trump labeled the summit a success, rating it a “10 out of 10” in terms of personal rapport with Putin.

“In the sense that we got along great,” Trump noted.

International Pressure Builds

The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has left tens of thousands dead, displaced millions, and triggered one of the largest military and humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II. The international community, especially NATO allies, has been closely watching Trump’s diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict.

Analysts say that while the Alaska summit stopped short of delivering a breakthrough, the proposed Zelensky–Putin meeting especially with Trump involved could set the stage for a new chapter in negotiations.

The summit, held in Anchorage, marked Trump’s latest attempt to broker a peace initiative in the protracted conflict that has gripped Eastern Europe for over four years. But no concrete commitments were announced, and neither side offered specifics on what had been discussed.

Muted Media Appearance

Appearing briefly before the media following the meeting, Trump and Putin gave short remarks and took no questions  an unusual departure for Trump, who is typically eager to engage with reporters. He ignored shouted questions as the two leaders exited the room, leaving many in the press corps frustrated and international observers guessing.

“We made progress,” Trump said, without elaborating. Putin echoed the sentiment, saying, “Our dialogue was open and constructive.”

No Ukraine Breakthrough

The lack of a clear path forward on Ukraine comes as fighting continues on the ground and international pressure mounts for a ceasefire. Officials on both sides have indicated that back-channel discussions will continue and that a possible follow-up meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is being considered.

Trump, speaking later  suggested that momentum is building for a three-way summit with Putin and Zelensky, placing the next steps in Ukraine’s hands.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump said, adding that plans for such a meeting were being developed.

Global Eyes Watching

With geopolitical tensions at a high and NATO allies closely monitoring developments, the outcome of Friday’s summit leaves uncertainty hanging over peace prospects. While the leaders’ tone was measured and diplomatic, analysts note the absence of tangible outcomes may prolong instability on the European continent.

Still, Trump remained upbeat:

“I think we have a pretty good chance of getting it done,” he said. “We got along great. I’d rate it a 10 out of 10.”

As the world waits for the next move, focus now shifts to whether Ukraine and Russia will agree to direct talks, and what role Trump may play in facilitating a deal.

Speaking after an online meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas made it clear that the bloc remains firmly united in its support for Ukraine and warned against any moves to soften the EU’s stance on Moscow.

“There can be no concessions to the Kremlin until there is a full and unconditional ceasefire,” Kallas said. “We must increase pressure, not reduce it.”

The upcoming summit between Trump and Putin has reignited concerns across European capitals that diplomatic engagement with Russia could lead to premature compromises, especially as Russia continues military operations on Ukrainian territory.

During the virtual conference, EU diplomats discussed the scope of the new sanctions, which are expected to target Russian financial institutions, military suppliers, and state propaganda networks. Additional individual sanctions on Kremlin-linked oligarchs and officials are also under review.

Despite growing calls in some international circles for a negotiated settlement, Kallas and other EU leaders insisted that peace cannot be resolved without Kyiv at the table reinforcing the EU’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Conclusion:

As the August 15 Trump–Putin summit approaches, the EU is moving to solidify its diplomatic and economic stance, determined to avoid any scenario in which Moscow is rewarded without fully ending its aggression. The forthcoming sanctions package is expected to be formally unveiled in the coming days.