US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment over the shelved plan for face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a "wasted meeting" as a major concern. Trump's remarks came after a White House official announced there were "no plans" for a Trump-Putin meeting "in the immediate future."
According to Trump, a key sticking point remained Moscow's refusal to cease fighting along the current front line in Ukraine. This development appears to have dashed chances of a summit between the two leaders. Trump and Putin last met in Alaska in August, during a hastily organised summit which yielded no concrete results.
In a statement at the White House on Tuesday, Trump indicated that the US was not willing to compromise on its stance regarding the conflict in Ukraine. "I don't want to have a wasted meeting," Trump said, echoing his concerns about the potential outcome of a summit with Putin. The US President's comments suggest that the White House is attempting to avoid another scenario similar to the Alaska summit, which failed to produce any tangible outcomes.
The decision to shelve plans for a second Trump-Putin meeting may be seen as an attempt to avoid further diplomatic efforts that could ultimately prove fruitless. Key differences between US and Russian proposals for peace have become increasingly clear, highlighting the significant challenges in finding a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
The US and Russia have been at odds over the conflict in Ukraine, with the US calling for a ceasefire and Russia refusing to budge. The situation has become increasingly complex, with both sides dug in and unwilling to compromise. The shelving of plans for a Trump-Putin meeting is likely to be seen as a setback for diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.
The implications of this development are significant, with many experts warning that the conflict in Ukraine could have far-reaching consequences for regional and global stability. The US and Russia have a long history of diplomatic tensions, and the current situation is likely to exacerbate these tensions.
In a statement, a White House official said that the US was committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, but that this would require a willingness from all parties to compromise. The official noted that the US had been working closely with its international partners to find a solution, but that progress had been slow.
The current status of the conflict in Ukraine remains uncertain, with both sides continuing to engage in military operations. The international community is watching the situation closely, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The shelving of plans for a Trump-Putin meeting is likely to be seen as a setback for diplomatic efforts, but it remains to be seen whether this will ultimately prove to be a turning point in the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, experts are warning that the conflict in Ukraine could have far-reaching consequences for regional and global stability. The US and Russia must work together to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but this will require a willingness from both sides to compromise. The international community must also play a role in finding a solution, and it remains to be seen whether this will ultimately prove to be possible.
*Reporting by Bbc.*