Less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced another high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, this time in Budapest, Hungary, the plans were quickly shelved — with the White House later announcing sanctions against two Russian oil companies.

It was the latest swing by Trump, who has repeatedly changed his position and approach to the war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, when the country was invaded by Russia.

After he was praised by many for helping to cement a ceasefire in Gaza, Trump was likely keen to see if some of that peacemaker momentum could carry over into a conflict he once vowed to end within 24 hours.

Trump and Putin's Budapest summit on hold after Ukraine negotiations hit a snag

But with Russia unwilling to compromise a

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