Trump-Putin Meeting Faces Delay as Rubio-Lavrov Talks Put on Hold Amid Ukraine Dispute
Plans for a high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may be facing unexpected delays after a preliminary diplomatic session between their top foreign policy aides was quietly postponed, sources told CNN.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the anticipated talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov—originally expected to pave the way for a Trump-Putin summit—have been put on hold for now, with no new date confirmed.
A Promising Start Stalls
Just days earlier, President Trump sounded optimistic following a phone call with Vladimir Putin, announcing that both sides had agreed to hold “a meeting of our High-Level Advisors next week.”
“The United States’ initial meetings will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with other officials to be designated,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
However, that enthusiasm dimmed when a White House official later confirmed that the Rubio-Lavrov meeting had been postponed. The reason behind the delay remains unclear, but one source indicated that the two diplomats held divergent expectations about how to bring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to an end, a sticking point that has derailed multiple peace efforts over the years.
Questions Over the Trump-Putin Summit in Budapest
The postponement of this preliminary session now raises uncertainty over the planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, Hungary. Though the White House has not officially changed its stance, the diplomatic pause has cast doubt over whether the meeting can happen within the two-week window that President Trump initially mentioned.
“President Trump has consistently worked toward finding a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to end this senseless war and stop the killing,” said White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly. “He has courageously engaged parties on all sides and will do everything in his power to achieve peace.”
Kremlin Downplays Timeline
After Trump’s announcement that the summit would take place “within two weeks or so,” the Kremlin moved quickly to temper expectations.
Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that such a timeline might be “a bit optimistic,” suggesting instead that it could occur “within two weeks or a bit later.” He added, however, that no firm date had ever been set, making it technically impossible to postpone.
“You cannot postpone what has not been scheduled,” Peskov remarked pointedly.
A Diplomatic Disconnect
The Trump administration reportedly doesn’t believe that a large, stand-alone meeting between Rubio and Lavrov would meaningfully advance preparations for a potential Trump-Putin summit.
According to a senior U.S. official, Lavrov, while loyal to Putin, is not empowered to make significant policy concessions or negotiate major strategic moves without the Russian president’s direct involvement.
“The calls between Rubio and Lavrov are useful for gauging Russia’s current position,” the official explained, “but a full in-person meeting wouldn’t necessarily produce new momentum.”
A European diplomat echoed that assessment, describing Lavrov as “100% loyal to Putin, but never in the room when real decisions are made.”
“To negotiate with Lavrov,” the diplomat added, “is somewhat of a diversion. The real discussions are always with Putin himself.”
ASEAN Summit May Offer Another Chance
Despite the uncertainty, U.S. officials have not completely abandoned the idea of a diplomatic engagement. Sources say Rubio and Lavrov could meet on the sidelines of the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia next week, depending on scheduling and political conditions.
Talks between the two foreign ministers have been described as “fluid,” and both sides are said to be exploring ways to maintain dialogue even as tensions persist over Ukraine.
A Constructive Yet Cautious Exchange
Earlier this week, Rubio and Lavrov held a phone call to follow up on the conversation between Trump and Putin. According to a U.S. State Department readout, Rubio “emphasized the importance of future engagements as opportunities for Moscow and Washington to collaborate on advancing a durable resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war, consistent with President Trump’s vision for peace.”
The Kremlin characterized the discussion as “constructive”, stating that both sides addressed “possible concrete steps” to implement the understandings reached between the two presidents.
Still, officials told CNN that Russia’s position remains largely unchanged, with Moscow continuing to insist on maximalist conditions that U.S. negotiators view as unacceptable. As a result, Rubio is reportedly not inclined to recommend that the Trump-Putin summit proceed next week—though another call between the two diplomats remains possible.
A Strained Peace Process
The delay comes more than two months after Trump and Putin last met face-to-face in Anchorage, Alaska. That meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, ended without a concrete agreement, though both leaders publicly expressed optimism about continued dialogue.
Since then, Trump has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. “You go by the battle line, wherever it is,” he told reporters on Saturday. “Otherwise, it’s too complicated—you’ll never be able to figure it out. You stop at the battle line.”
An Uphill Diplomatic Challenge
Analysts say the renewed push for a Trump-Putin meeting underscores the administration’s determination to reassert U.S. influence in shaping the war’s outcome. However, deep mistrust between Washington and Moscow continues to complicate those efforts.
“Both sides are using diplomacy to signal intent, but neither is ready to make real concessions,” said one European diplomat. “For the Kremlin, a meeting with Trump carries symbolic value, while for Washington, it’s about showing the American public that the administration is serious about pursuing peace.”
Still, the longer the talks remain stalled, the more difficult it becomes to sustain momentum. As one senior U.S. official put it, “Every delay gives hardliners on both sides more room to dig in.”
Political Calculations and Global Optics
Observers note that a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest would have major geopolitical implications. For Trump, it could serve as a demonstration of his ability to command global diplomacy. For Putin, it would provide an opportunity to show Russia is not isolated despite Western sanctions and global condemnation of its invasion.
However, any perceived concession to Moscow risks criticism from U.S. lawmakers and NATO allies, especially if the talks are seen as legitimizing Russia’s military presence in occupied Ukrainian territory.
Hope Amid Uncertainty
Despite the complications, both the White House and the Kremlin insist that the door to diplomacy remains open. Trump’s team continues to frame his approach as one focused on “realistic peace,” emphasizing dialogue over escalation.
“President Trump has been clear: peace requires courage, not capitulation,” Kelly reiterated in a statement. “He will keep working to end the war through negotiation and mutual understanding.”
Whether that vision translates into an actual breakthrough remains to be seen. For now, the world watches closely as Washington and Moscow test the limits of diplomacy—balancing political pressure, national interests, and the desperate global hope for peace in Ukraine.