More from the White House:

Meeting with Putin/Trump not completely off the table
Meeting between Putin/Zelenskyy also not off the table
On war in Ukraine, Trump has not seem enough action from Russia toward peace
Trump is increasingly frustrated. He wants to see action not just talk to end the war.

The fallout from the unproductive Alaska meeting — coupled with last week’s phone call in which Trump appeared to be dissuaded from supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles — raises the question of whether Putin is simply playing Trump. The Russian leader has a pattern of overpromising and underdelivering, often to his strategic advantage.

Meanwhile, growing frustration within the administration is a worrying sign. Such tension can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive or emotional decisions — precisely the kind of misstep Putin may be counting on.

Putin also is a master of playing the “what me?” card. “I want to move toward peace”. “It was their request to meet in Budapest (and now they want to cancel the meeting)”. He – like Trump – can be AS effective in his mind games.