In recent developments, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a call in light of growing tensions related to U.S. arms supply to Ukraine. Following this call, a U.S.-Russia summit in Budapest was proposed, echoing a similar summit in Alaska last August that occurred amid threats of additional U.S. sanctions on Russia. However, the Budapest summit was quickly canceled. Trump indicated to reporters that he felt progress was unlikely and described the situation as not conducive for a successful meeting.
Previously, Trump had opted for a more conciliatory approach towards Russia, avoiding the implementation of stringent measures. Recently, however, he imposed sanctions on major Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an attempt to exert pressure on Moscow regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin has characterized these sanctions as an “unfriendly act,” arguing that no nation should make decisions under pressure.
Russian media expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the summit, depicting it as a setback for diplomatic engagement. Some commentators have suggested that Russia may be inclined to continue military operations, dismissing calls for a ceasefire. The Kremlin’s officials maintain that peace is desired but only under terms that Russia finds acceptable, which includes addressing what they term the “root causes” of the Ukrainian conflict, such as NATO’s eastward expansion.
As tensions remain high, questions arise about whether Trump will intensify his pressure on Russia or revert to previous diplomatic approaches. The situation continues to evolve, making it uncertain whether a future summit could yield any meaningful results. Critics speculate that without significant changes in negotiations, the cycle of diplomatic initiatives may repeat without resolution.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnve5532v7yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss