U.S. President Donald Trump said on October 21 that a decision about his meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin during the planned summit in Hungary has not yet been made. He spoke these words after celebrating Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.
“No, I don’t want to waste time on a meeting. I don’t want to waste time. So I will wait and see what happens next. We have signed all these wonderful peace deals and reliable understandings. I said: ‘Step back and go home and everyone take a break, because you have two countries that are killing one another’. So let’s see what comes of this”
– politician
During a follow-up question, Trump noted that the meeting with Putin itself is not considered a waste of time, but various scenarios could unfold.
“In response to the follow-up question, Trump said that he does not consider the meeting with Putin to be a waste of time, ‘but a lot could happen’”
– politician
“A lot is happening on the front between Ukraine and Russia, and we will inform you over the next two days about what we are doing,” the American leader added.
“A lot is happening on the front between Ukraine and Russia; we will inform you over the next two days about what we are doing”
– American leader
A few hours before this statement NBC News, citing a source in the Trump administration, reported that organizing the meeting with Putin in Budapest is currently suspended. Trump believes that both sides are not ready for talks. The White House confirmed this.
“Both sides are not sufficiently ready for negotiations”
– NBC News
“Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov held a constructive telephone conversation. Therefore, an additional in-person meeting between the Secretary and the Foreign Minister is not necessary,” our interlocutor said.
“Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov held a constructive telephone conversation. Therefore, an additional in-person meeting between the Secretary and the Foreign Minister is not necessary”
– a source
Earlier it became known about the postponement of the announced meeting between key U.S. and Russian foreign policy officials – Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Minister Sergey Lavrov. On October 20 Rubio and Lavrov held a telephone conversation. According to a brief summary released by the U.S. State Department, they discussed the “next steps” after the conversation between Trump and Putin on October 16 regarding the possible end of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
What is known about Trump and Putin’s meeting in Hungary
On October 16, the U.S. president Trump spoke by phone with Russian leader Putin. They discussed handing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. According to the American leader, Putin did not like the idea of supplying this weaponry to Kyiv.
They also discussed the possibility of meeting in Hungary. When the meeting will take place – unknown.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed support for holding this summit and spoke with U.S. President Trump and Russian leader Putin. According to him, Hungary has begun preparations for a “peace summit”.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that the country would welcome Russian leader Putin, despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.
Russia stated that “there is the president’s will” to hold such a meeting, but first “the questions will be worked out by Foreign Minister Lavrov and Secretary Rubio.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that if he is invited to Budapest to participate in talks between Trump and Putin, he is ready to join them.