Trump and Putin (file photo)
The planned meet between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been cancelled after Moscow sent a formal memo outlining what officials described as “maximalist” demands to end the war in Ukraine, reported Reuters citing Financial Times.According to the report, the meeting was scheduled to take place in Budapest next month as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Moscow. However, US officials reportedly called off the summit after reviewing Russia’s conditions, which included sweeping concessions on sanctions and recognition of its territorial claims.
The White House has not yet issued an official statement.Doubts had been raised on the meeting after an US official, earlier this week, said that there are “no plans” for a meeting between Trump and Putin “in the immediate future.”Also read: A second Cold War? How Trump’s decision to test nukes after 30 years could trigger a ‘chain reaction’In recent days, Trump has admitted to feeling “frustrated” with Putin, a shift from his earlier claims that his “personal chemistry” with the Russian leader would allow him to end the war within a day of returning to the White House.Trump, last week also, acknowledged that a high-level summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely in the near term, even as a senior Kremlin representative met with US officials in Florida to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, saying “he doesn’t want to waste his time”. Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, Trump has directed the Department of War to begin nuclear weapons testing, citing similar actions by “other countries.” He said the process would start immediately, claiming the US has “more nuclear weapons than any other country” due to upgrades made during his first term.The move follows Russia’s tests of two nuclear-powered strategic weapons — the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone — which Moscow says can carry nuclear payloads across vast distances. Trump called the tests “inappropriate” and urgedPutin to “end the war in Ukraine” instead of testing missiles.Also read: Trump says US to start nuclear weapons testing; move follows Russia’s trials
