The United States has canceled the planned summit in the Hungarian capital between the leaders of the two countries - a message that has caused widespread repercussions in diplomatic circles. According to information published by a leading British publication, the decision was made as a result of Moscow's categorical position regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
The decision to cancel was made after a tense conversation between the top diplomats of the two countries, according to sources familiar with the situation. Reuters notes that it cannot currently confirm the information published in the British publication.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on this issue. Representatives of the Russian government have also refused to comment on the developments.
The initial plans envisaged a summit in Budapest this month, at which the two leaders were to discuss ways to resolve the war in Ukraine. However, the meeting was canceled after Moscow maintained its conditions, including territorial concessions from Ukraine as a prerequisite for a ceasefire.
Days after the agreement for a meeting between the leaders in the Hungarian capital was announced, the Russian Foreign Ministry sent a memorandum to Washington, repeating the same demands for resolving, as the Russian leader puts it, "the root causes" for the start of the conflict.
These demands include territorial concessions and a significant reduction in Ukraine's armed forces. In addition, guarantees are insisted that Ukraine will never join NATO.
This was followed by a conversation between the Russian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State, after which the US decided to cancel the meeting. The publication also states that the Secretary of State later informed the US President that Moscow was not showing readiness for negotiations.
The Ukrainian president, for his part, stated earlier this month that although the country is open to peace negotiations, it will not cede the territories that Moscow insists on.