Trump’s attempt to build a “Budapest scenario” (i.e. a Putin-Trump summit grounded on the earlier Alaska “understanding”) was unilaterally cancelled (by the US) amid acrimony. Putin had initiated the 2.5 hr Monday call. It reportedly contained tough talking by Putin about the lack of US preparation towards a political framework – both in respect to Ukraine, but crucially also in respect to Russia’s wider security needs. However, when it was announced by the American side, Trump’s proposal had...





















