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There are "no preparations" for US President President Trump to meet Russian President Putin "in the near term", a White House official has announced.

This past week Trump stated he and the Russian president would meet in Hungary's capital soon to address the war in Ukraine.

A preparatory meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his opposite number Sergei Lavrov was scheduled to occur this week - but the White House said the two had had a "positive" call and that a face-to-face session was not "needed".

The White House withheld any more details on the reason the negotiations had been put on hold.

Earlier Events

The US president had discussed a Budapest summit via telephone with the Russian leader, a day before hosting Ukraine's President Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Various sources suggested his talks with the Ukrainian leader had been a "heated exchange", with sources claiming Trump had urged him to give up large areas of Ukraine's east as part of a settlement with Russia.

Yet, on this week the American president embraced a peace initiative supported by Ukraine and EU officials to freeze the conflict on the existing battle lines.

"Freeze the lines where it stands," he said.

Moscow has frequently resisted against pausing the present battle positions.

The Russian government was only interested in "permanent resolution", Russia's foreign minister stated on this week, indicating that halting hostilities would merely represent a brief pause.

Negotiating Stances

The "fundamental issues" of the war demanded attention, Lavrov said, using Kremlin shorthand for a set of extensive requirements that involve the acceptance of complete Moscow control over the eastern region as well as the military reduction of Ukraine – a non-starter for Kyiv and its European partners.

Zelensky stated discussions about the front line were the "commencement of dialogue" but that Moscow was "taking all measures" to evade negotiations.

He also said the exclusive issue that could make Moscow "pay attention" was that of the delivery of extended-range arms to the Ukrainian military.

Military Considerations

Putin's unscheduled call with the US leader last Thursday preceded rumors that the United States was preparing to send distance-capable weapons to Ukrainian forces that could theoretically target inside Russia.

The Ukrainian leader stated it was the missile discussion that had forced Russia to enter into dialogue. The conversation concerning the missiles had proven to be a "significant input" in diplomacy", he commented.