Quick Read
- Preparatory meeting for Trump-Putin summit in Budapest postponed due to disagreements over Ukraine war resolution.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone call instead, described as ‘constructive’ by Russia.
- The future of the summit and prospects for Ukraine peace remain uncertain.
- Trump and Putin previously met in Alaska in August, but key differences persist.
Summit Postponed: Diplomatic Hopes Put on Hold
What happens when the world’s most powerful leaders try to broker peace, but their own teams can’t agree on how to get there? That’s the question hanging over the much-anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, planned for Budapest. This week, the gears of international diplomacy ground to a halt: the key preparatory meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was postponed, leaving the fate of the summit—and hopes for Ukraine’s peace—up in the air.
Behind the Scenes: Why Talks Stalled
The cancellation wasn’t just a scheduling conflict. According to sources inside the White House, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the delay was rooted in deep divisions over how the war in Ukraine might end. Both sides brought different expectations and demands to the table, making it impossible to move forward—at least for now.
Trump has made it clear, both publicly and privately, that he wants to see peace in Ukraine. But he’s also admitted that brokering a deal is more complicated than other recent ceasefires, such as those in Gaza or the brief India-Pakistan clash. The complexities of Ukraine’s war—its roots, its actors, its global implications—mean that optimism alone can’t bridge the gap.
Rubio and Lavrov: The Voices at the Table
After Trump’s last conversation with Putin, the plan was for Rubio and Lavrov to hash out the details. Their scheduled face-to-face in Budapest was supposed to set the stage for the leaders’ second meeting this year. But instead of sitting across a table, the two diplomats were reduced to a phone call, described by Russia’s Foreign Ministry as “constructive.” The choice of words is telling. Constructive, yes—but not decisive. And the US side was less enthusiastic. Deputy State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott avoided using the word “constructive,” emphasizing instead the importance of ongoing engagement.
Both sides agreed to continue talking—another phone call is expected later in the week—but the postponement has cast a shadow over the summit’s prospects. The city of Budapest, with its historical ties to both Kiev and Moscow, was chosen for its symbolism. Now, that symbolism is tinged with uncertainty.
Stakes for Ukraine: A War with No Simple Answers
The Ukraine conflict is the elephant in the room. Since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the war has dragged on with no end in sight. Putin has repeatedly claimed he’s ready for peace talks, but always sets conditions that Kyiv and its allies find difficult to accept.
Trump, meanwhile, has tried to position himself as a potential peacemaker. He’s spoken about the possibility of peace, but has also warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to overplay his hand. In a recent remark, Trump described Russia as a “paper tiger”—a nod to Moscow’s failure to subdue Ukraine despite its massive military might.
The last time Trump and Putin met was on August 15, at a Cold War-era air base in Anchorage, Alaska. That meeting ended with both sides acknowledging significant differences in how to resolve the conflict.
The Road Ahead: Will Diplomacy Prevail?
So, where does this leave the world? For now, the answer is in limbo. The postponed preparatory meeting is more than a diplomatic hiccup—it’s a reflection of the deep, unresolved tensions at the heart of the Ukraine war. The next steps are uncertain: Rubio and Lavrov are set to speak again, but without a breakthrough, the Budapest summit could be delayed indefinitely.
What’s clear is that the stakes are enormous. For Ukraine, for Russia, for the US—and for the millions whose lives are shaped by the decisions made in quiet rooms and over secure phone lines. The quest for peace remains just that: a quest, marked by obstacles and setbacks.
As the world watches and waits, the postponement of the Trump-Putin summit underscores a hard truth: peace in Ukraine will require not just high-level meetings, but genuine compromise—a willingness by both sides to move beyond rhetoric and toward real solutions. Until that happens, diplomacy remains a work in progress.