Trump Warns Putin of “Severe Consequences” Over Ukraine Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Manssour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump warned of “severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin blocks progress toward peace in Ukraine, ahead of their Alaska summit. European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed Ukraine’s role in any negotiations. Russia insists its demands remain unchanged, including territorial concessions Kyiv rejects.
Trump-Putin Ukraine Talks Quick Looks
- Trump and Putin to meet Friday in Alaska on Ukraine war.
- Trump says meeting could be followed by trilateral talks with Zelensky.
- “Severe consequences” promised if Putin refuses to halt fighting.
- Macron: No territorial swaps without Ukraine’s consent.
- German Chancellor Merz: Borders cannot change by force.
- Zelensky accuses Putin of bluffing and escalating ahead of talks.
- Russia demands Ukraine withdraw from claimed regions and drop NATO bid.
- Ukrainian polls favor quick peace but not at the cost of major concessions.
Trump Warns Putin of “Severe Consequences” Over Ukraine Talks
Deep Look
WASHINGTON / BERLIN — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a direct warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, promising “severe consequences” if their upcoming Alaska summit fails to produce steps toward peace in Ukraine. While he declined to specify the measures, Trump has previously floated economic sanctions as a potential response.
Speaking on Wednesday after a virtual meeting with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump said the Alaska talks were intended to “set the table” for a possible follow-up session that would bring him together with both Putin and Zelensky.
“If the first one goes okay, we’ll have a quick second one,” Trump said, adding that he would like it “almost immediately” if both leaders agreed.
Red Lines from Europe and Kyiv
The virtual call, hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, served as a last-minute effort to align positions ahead of the summit. European leaders stressed that Ukraine must be present for any talks on territory or post-war arrangements.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump had agreed that “territories belonging to Ukraine cannot be negotiated” without Kyiv’s consent. Macron also confirmed Trump’s support for securing a ceasefire in Alaska and providing Ukraine with post-war security guarantees.
Merz underscored that “borders cannot be changed by force” and that if Russia showed no willingness to compromise, the U.S. and Europe should “increase the pressure.”
Zelensky’s Conditions and Warnings
Zelensky, speaking from Berlin after the meeting, reiterated that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable and accused Putin of orchestrating battlefield escalations ahead of the summit.
“Putin is bluffing about his wish to end the war,” Zelensky said. “He is trying to apply pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front.”
Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have made significant advances in eastern Ukraine in recent days, a move they believe is designed to strengthen Moscow’s negotiating position.
Russia’s Position Remains Firm
The Kremlin’s stance, outlined by Putin in June 2024, demands Ukraine withdraw from four regions Russia claims as its own and abandon its NATO membership ambitions. Kyiv rejects these terms outright, calling them equivalent to surrender.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeev confirmed Wednesday that Moscow’s position “has not changed” since last year.
Diplomatic Stakes for Alaska
The Alaska summit represents the most high-profile U.S.-Russia engagement since the war began more than three years ago. Trump’s decision to meet with Putin follows weeks of public frustration with the Kremlin over stalled peace initiatives, which he said were revived after his envoy reported “great progress” in Moscow.
While Trump’s earlier suggestion that both sides might have to give up territory alarmed Kyiv and European capitals, Wednesday’s statements appeared designed to reassure allies that no deals would be struck over Ukraine’s head.
European officials have tread carefully, welcoming Trump’s diplomatic push while repeatedly insisting on Ukraine’s inclusion in any settlement talks.
Public Opinion in Ukraine
A Gallup poll released last week found that 69% of Ukrainians support reaching a negotiated end to the war as soon as possible. However, the same polling showed strong resistance to any peace agreement that requires major territorial concessions.
This public sentiment mirrors Zelensky’s negotiating posture — open to diplomacy, but unwilling to legitimize Russia’s territorial gains through formal agreements.
Potential Next Steps
A source familiar with Wednesday’s discussions said possible locations for a trilateral Trump–Putin–Zelensky meeting were briefly considered, contingent on Alaska’s outcome.
If no progress is made, both the U.S. and Europe have signaled readiness to tighten sanctions and increase support for Ukraine’s military.
“President Trump knows this position, he shares it very extensively,” Merz said, describing the call as “exceptionally constructive.”
With Russian troops pressing forward in eastern Ukraine and diplomatic tensions high, the Alaska summit could either mark the start of a negotiated settlement process or deepen the divide between Moscow and the West.
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