Trump reportedly canceled summit with Putin due to Russian demands regarding Ukraine

The planned summit meeting in Budapest between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not take place.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

The United States decided to cancel the meeting after Russia sent Washington a memorandum with uncompromising demands regarding Ukraine.

According to the Financial Times (FT), Moscow is demanding territorial concessions that go beyond the areas currently occupied by Russia, a significant reduction in Ukrainian armed forces, and guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO.

The decision was also influenced by a tense phone call between the two countries' top diplomats, in which the US accused Moscow of showing no willingness to negotiate. Trump officially reaffirmed his support for Ukraine, which refuses to cede further territory and is calling for a ceasefire along the current front lines.

The Reuters news agency points out that the information provided by the FT has not yet been independently verified. Neither Moscow nor Washington has yet issued a statement.

(reuters, lup)