Post by : Rameen Ariff

The United States has officially called off the planned Budapest summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing Russia’s uncompromising demands over Ukraine. The decision comes amid growing concerns about the lack of progress in negotiations aimed at ending the war.

The summit was intended to serve as a high-level platform for discussions on potential ceasefire agreements and strategies to de-escalate the conflict. However, Moscow reiterated “maximalist” conditions, demanding Ukraine cede additional territory, reduce its armed forces, and provide guarantees that it will never join NATO. These demands, outlined in a detailed memo sent to Washington, were deemed unacceptable by the US.

Following a tense phone conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Rubio briefed President Trump that Russia showed no willingness to negotiate, prompting the administration to cancel the summit.

Trump has voiced support for Ukraine’s call for a ceasefire along existing lines but rejected any territorial concessions to Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, emphasized that Kyiv remains ready for peace talks but will not withdraw troops from additional territory, reinforcing the impasse.

The cancellation underscores the widening gap between US and Russian positions, highlighting the complexities of resolving the conflict. Analysts warn that without flexibility from both sides, diplomatic efforts are likely to remain stalled.

Separately, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported shooting down 130 Ukrainian drones overnight, further signaling ongoing military tensions. The situation continues to pose significant challenges to regional stability and international peace efforts.

The US decision to cancel the Budapest summit reflects both a firm stance on Ukraine’s sovereignty and the difficulties in navigating negotiations with Russia under current conditions.

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