U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have delayed their talks, citing Moscow’s unshifted stance, putting the Trump‑Putin summit in limbo until late October.
Meeting Postponed
The meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been postponed indefinitely, according to CNN reporting on information from a White House official. The decision was made for “procedural reasons,” and does not signify an end to dialogue between the parties.
During a Monday phone call, the officials discussed the planned summit, but U.S. officials noted that Moscow’s position had not changed sufficiently beyond its maximalist demands. Consequently, Rubio is unlikely to recommend a Putin‑Trump meeting next week.
Phone Conversation Details
The diplomats’ phone discussion focused on finalizing preparations for a Russia‑U.S. summit aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The State Department noted that Rubio emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship for a lasting resolution.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry described the call as “constructive” and confirmed it covered issues raised by President Putin and President Trump earlier in the week. Both leaders agreed to meet personally in Budapest.
Preparations for the Summit
Both sides discussed logistical arrangements for a joint Russia‑U.S. summit, with expectations that the meeting would concentrate on wartime cessation in Ukraine.
Reuters, citing sources in the State Department, reported that a working meeting between Lavrov and Rubio, focused on organizing the Putin‑Trump summit, could take place on October 23.
Predicted Date of the Meeting
Initial plans suggested the summit would be held in late October, but the recent postponement has introduced uncertainty regarding the exact date.
Sources indicate that a high‑level meeting between the two leaders might still occur on October 23, pending further negotiations.
Trump’s Announcement on Truth Social
On October 16, President Trump described the October call as “very productive” and announced on Truth Social that he would meet Putin in Budapest soon.
The presidents, after the call, agreed that their senior advisers—Marco Rubio and Sergey Lavrov—would first convene to set the stage for the forthcoming summit.
