Why Trump’s meeting with Putin fell apart and what it means for the Ukraine war

Trump-Putin peace summit collapses

President Trump’s plan to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine has been abruptly shelved. Less than a week after boasting of a “pretty quick” breakthrough following a phone call with Putin, the White House confirmed on Tuesday that no meeting would happen “in the immediate future.” The reversal highlights Trump’s unpredictable diplomacy — and Putin’s ability to stall without conceding anything, the New York Times reported.

The promise of a breakthrough

Last week, Trump announced that he and Putin would soon meet in Budapest to negotiate an end to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The optimism came after a phone conversation between the two leaders, during which Trump suggested that both sides were open to “a real peace.” His aides began quietly preparing for a possible summit — one that, if successful, would have been Trump’s most high-profile foreign policy move in his second term.

Putin’s refusal to deal

By Tuesday, that optimism had evaporated. Russian officials made it clear that they were unwilling to enter talks that might involve concessions or a cease-fire. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Moscow would only discuss peace “after” a political settlement — a stance that allows Russia to continue fighting indefinitely. The Kremlin later dismissed the idea that any meeting with Trump had been finalized at all.

Tensions with Ukraine

The reversal followed a strained White House meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Reports suggest Trump pressured Zelensky to consider giving up territory as part of a peace deal — a proposal Kyiv flatly rejected. European allies swiftly issued a statement rejecting any outcome based on territorial concessions, saying Russia “continues to choose violence and destruction.”

Missile politics and leverage

Trump’s hesitation to send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles also undercut his leverage with Putin. Military and diplomatic analysts say the threat of those weapons reaching Kyiv could have pressured Russia to negotiate. Former US ambassador to Ukraine William B. Taylor said, “Putin was worried about Tomahawks, asked for the phone call, and at least delayed the missiles.” But Trump, reluctant to escalate, held back — weakening his hand.

A familiar pattern in Trump’s diplomacy

This isn’t the first time Trump has announced a major diplomatic meeting before securing real commitments. He previously invited Putin to Alaska over the summer, bypassing the usual preparatory talks between diplomats, only to leave without results. This latest episode fits that pattern: bold announcements, unclear follow-through, and eventual walk-backs once Putin resists.

What happens next

Trump said he still hopes to pursue a cease-fire, promising an “update” in the coming days. But even his own aides admit no new date or format for talks exists. For now, Russia’s war grinds on, Ukraine’s allies are wary, and the US president finds himself again caught between his desire for a quick diplomatic win and a Russian leader who prefers delay over compromise.

The breakdown underscores a reality Washington has seen before: Putin negotiates on his terms, not Trump’s timeline.