(Washington) - US President Trump said he doesn't want a "wasting time meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and a second summit between the two may be off the table.
After speaking with Putin last week, Trump said he might meet with him in Budapest, Hungary, within two weeks.
However, Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday (October 21) that he "didn't want a meeting that wasted time."
When asked why he changed his mind, Trump responded, "There's a lot going on on the battlefield. We'll let you know what we're going to do in the next two days."
A White House official earlier revealed that Trump has no immediate plans to meet with Putin. Russia stated that preparations for the summit are still underway, but a date has not yet been set.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday (22nd): "Neither President Trump nor President Putin wants to waste time."
Reuters, citing two US officials and sources familiar with the matter, reported that Russia sent a secret letter to the US last weekend reiterating its demand for full control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. This is a provision of the Russia-Ukraine peace agreement that Moscow has consistently insisted on, effectively rejecting Trump's proposal to freeze the existing front lines between Russia and Ukraine.
Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that European countries are working with Ukraine on a 12-point peace plan aimed at urging Russia to cease fire along the current front lines and counter Putin's demands that Ukraine cede territory in exchange for peace.
According to the plan, Trump would chair a peace commission to oversee its implementation. Once Russia agrees to a ceasefire and commits to halting its advance, the plan envisions the repatriation of all Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia, as well as a prisoner exchange.
Under the proposal, Ukraine would receive security guarantees, reconstruction funds, and a fast track to EU membership.
In addition, sanctions against Russia would be gradually lifted. However, if Russia invades Ukraine again, the relevant sanctions will be immediately restored.
