The Kremlin has rejected the idea of a ceasefire along the current front line in Ukraine, effectively derailing plans for a high-profile summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Budapest.
According to a source close to the Russian presidential administration, cited by independent outlet Verstka, Moscow “is not satisfied” with Trump’s proposal to freeze the war along the line of contact, insisting instead that Ukraine must surrender the remaining parts of the Donetsk region.
Negotiation process deliberately delayed
“There is no mood for peace in the Kremlin,” the source added. “[If we stop now,] - it is soon to get the same risks and return to where they began, only the troops will restore forces.“
According to Kremlin-linked media experts, Moscow’s military command has promised Putin full control over the strategic cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk. “Until we establish ourselves in these positions, we will not talk about the line,” the source said, adding that the negotiation process has been deliberately delayed since May to allow Russian forces to advance.
US confirms no meeting planned
The White House confirmed on Oct. 21 that Trump has no plans to meet Putin “in the near future.” American media reported that the main obstacle to the summit was Russia’s refusal to accept a truce under current battlefield conditions.
According to Reuters, Russia sent a so-called “non-paper” to Washington last weekend, in which Moscow reiterated its demand for full control of the Donbas as a condition for any peace agreement.
A senior Trump administration official told The Wall Street Journal that the Kremlin “is still not ready for a deal.” He added that, although Putin expressed some willingness to discuss “specific issues” in a recent call with Trump, there is “no basis yet for meaningful progress.”
Zelensky open to talks, but not on Kremlin’s terms
On Oct. 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – after meeting Trump – acknowledged that “stopping along the current line” could be a temporary measure under current conditions, but emphasized that Ukraine would not accept any territorial concessions.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, continues to dismiss such an approach. “If we sign a declaration on stopping along the line, we’d have to meet Zelensky. Why would Putin want that?” a Russian insider told Verstka.
Summit uncertain
The meeting between Trump and Putin was initially planned for late October, with early discussions reportedly facilitated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. But after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, expectations faded.
“The summit is unlikely to bring positive results,” the WSJ quoted Rubio as saying, noting that Moscow remains fixed on its maximalist position regarding overtaking Donbas region.
Lavrov and Rubio spoke by phone on Monday. The Russian foreign minister said that the location and timing of the next Trump-Putin summit were of secondary importance compared to implementing the understandings reached during their talks in Alaska.
For now, both sides have confirmed that no new date has been set for a Trump-Putin meeting – and no progress is expected soon.