In a confusing diplomatic sequence, a “productive” call between US and Russian foreign ministers has led to a confirmation of “no plans” for a presidential summit.
Last week, President Trump announced an impending summit in Budapest with Vladimir Putin. This led to a call on Monday between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
A US official described that call as “productive.” However, on Tuesday, the same official, speaking anonymously, said no in-person follow-up was “necessary” between the diplomats.
The official then stated clearly: “there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future.”
The Kremlin’s spokesperson echoed this, stating there is “no precise timeframe” for a meeting. This reversal is the latest “abrupt shift” by Trump, who hosted Putin in Alaska in August, his first visit to Western soil since the 2022 invasion.
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