Arrangements for Putin-Trump Talks Shelved Shortly Following Budapest Talks Proposed

Currently exist "no plans" for American leader President Trump to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "in the near term", a White House official has stated.

Recently Trump indicated he and the Russian president would meet in Hungary's capital soon to examine the ongoing hostilities.

A preparatory meeting between America's top diplomat Secretary Rubio and his opposite number Foreign Minister Lavrov was scheduled to occur recently - but the administration said the two had had a "productive" discussion and that a meeting was no longer "necessary".

The White House declined to provide any more details on why the talks had been delayed.

Previous Developments

Trump had discussed a Hungarian meeting via telephone with Putin, a just prior to hosting Ukrainian President President Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Some reports suggested his talks with Zelensky had been a "heated exchange", with sources indicating Trump had pushed him to give up significant territories of Ukraine's east as part of a settlement with Moscow.

Yet, on Monday the American president embraced a ceasefire proposal backed by Ukraine and European leaders to pause the conflict on the present positions.

"Freeze the lines in its current state," he stated.

Russia has consistently objected against halting the existing front lines.

Moscow was only interested in "long-term, sustainable peace", Lavrov stated on Tuesday, implying that freezing the front line would merely represent a short-term truce.

Diplomatic Positions

The "root causes" of the hostilities demanded attention, Lavrov stated, using Russian diplomatic language for a set of extensive requirements that include the acknowledgment of full Russian sovereignty over the Donbas as well as the disarmament of Ukraine – a impossible condition for Ukraine and its European partners.

Zelensky commented discussions about the front line were the "commencement of dialogue" but that Moscow was "taking all measures" to prevent dialogue.

He further commented the exclusive issue that could make Moscow "take notice" was that of the delivery of distance-capable munitions to Ukraine.

Strategic Factors

Putin's unplanned conversation with Trump last Thursday preceded speculation that the US was considering delivering long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukrainian forces that could possibly hit inside Russia.

The Ukrainian leader said it was the Tomahawks issue that had compelled Moscow to participate in talks. The discussion regarding the weapons systems had turned out to be a "significant input" in negotiations", he remarked.