Trump’s Plans for Prompt Second Summit with Putin Face Delays

President Donald Trump’s plans for a prompt second summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin have faced significant delays. Recent statements indicate there are “no plans” for a meeting in the near future, contrasting Trump’s previous claim that the two leaders would convene “within two weeks.”

Change in Meeting Timeline

On Tuesday, Trump expressed concerns about the potential meeting, stating he did not want it to be “a waste of time.” Although he has not ruled out a future meeting with Putin, it no longer appears to be an immediate priority.

In a recent phone call, Trump mentioned that the U.S. and Russia had agreed to hold a meeting of high-level advisors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was expected to engage with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to facilitate the summit. However, multiple sources indicate that diplomatic efforts have stalled.

Diplomatic Engagement Stalls

• Rubio and Lavrov had a productive phone conversation on Monday.
• Despite the call, officials believe the Russian stance remains largely unchanged.
• Rubio may not recommend moving forward with a Trump-Putin meeting in the near term.

Lavrov rejected the idea of freezing the conflict in Ukraine, which had been proposed by Trump following his discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This proposal had received support from Kyiv and European leaders as part of the ongoing negotiations.

Kremlin’s Perspective

The Kremlin has moderated expectations regarding a rapid summit. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that since no date was established, there is nothing to postpone. Nonetheless, the White House remains committed to diplomatic efforts concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

U.S. Commitment to Peace

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly emphasized Trump’s continuous efforts to broker peace. “President Trump has courageously engaged parties on all sides,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Zelensky remarked that Russia’s interest in diplomacy seemed to diminish following the U.S. decision to withhold long-range Tomahawk missiles from Ukraine. He indicated that long-range capabilities could be crucial to achieving peace.

Future Outlook

Trump’s administration is reassessing the necessity of high-profile meetings between Rubio and Lavrov. Some officials believe that such engagements do not significantly advance discussions on the Ukraine conflict. A senior official noted that Lavrov lacks the authority to make impactful decisions.

• The upcoming ASEAN meeting in Malaysia might provide opportunities for further discussions.
• Rubio and Lavrov are expected to remain in contact about steps following their previous discussions.

In summary, as negotiations continue, Trump faces challenges in uniting both diplomatic efforts and the desire for a swift resolution. The administration hopes for a constructive path forward in the complex situation surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.