President Trump Warns Putin of ‘Severe Consequences’ Ahead of Alaska Peace Talks. US President Donald Trump has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of “severe consequences” if he blocks progress toward a peace deal in Ukraine.
Speaking before their scheduled meeting in Alaska on Friday, Trump said he hopes the talks will move things forward. However, he made it clear he is prepared to take action if the talks fail.
Trump also revealed plans for a possible second meeting, which could include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He hinted at economic sanctions if Friday’s discussion with Putin proves unproductive.
Hope for Kyiv Amid Concerns Over Territorial Concessions
Trump’s comments followed a virtual meeting with European leaders and Zelensky. That meeting aimed to align positions before the Alaska summit.
Some in Kyiv fear that the talks could lead to a deal that cedes Ukrainian territory to Russia. Trump attempted to ease those concerns by stating that he would involve Zelensky in any follow-up talks.
He emphasized that the Alaska meeting is meant to “set the table” for more progress.
“If the first one goes okay, we’ll have a quick second one,” Trump said.
“I would like to do it almost immediately — with President Putin, President Zelensky, and myself, if they’d like me there.”
He did not set a specific timeline for that potential second summit.
European Leaders Outline Red Lines
Earlier this week, Trump spoke with Zelensky and European heads of state during a call hosted by Germany. The goal was to define clear red lines before the Alaska summit.
“We had a very good call. President Zelensky was on the call. I would rate it a 10 — very friendly,” Trump said.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Trump supports Ukraine’s full participation in any territorial discussions. Zelensky noted Trump also backed the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine in any post-war settlement.
“President Trump was very clear that the United States wanted to achieve a ceasefire at this meeting in Alaska,” Macron said.
“He also said that only the Ukrainian president can negotiate Ukrainian territory.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reinforced Europe’s position: borders cannot be changed by force.
“If Russia doesn’t shift its stance in Alaska, then the US and Europe should raise the pressure,” Merz stated.
“President Trump understands and supports this position. Our conversation was very constructive.”
Stalemate Over Russia’s Demands
Russia continues to hold firm. The Kremlin has not changed its demands since Putin’s June 2024 statement.
- Russian officials insist Ukraine must:
- Withdraw troops from four regions Russia claims (but doesn’t fully control)
- Formally abandon its plans to join NATO
Kyiv has flatly rejected these terms, calling them a de facto surrender.
Russia Pushes Forward as Talks Approach
As diplomacy intensifies, Russian troops have made significant advances into eastern Ukraine. Many believe this is a calculated move to increase pressure on Kyiv ahead of the Alaska talks.
On the same day, Zelensky traveled to Berlin for virtual meetings with Trump and EU leaders.
“I told President Trump and our European colleagues — Putin is bluffing,” Zelensky said.
“He’s trying to show force before the Alaska summit. Russia wants to give the impression that it can take over all of Ukraine.”
A source familiar with the talks said the group discussed potential locations for a three-way meeting, depending on how the Alaska summit plays out.
Cautious Optimism as Summit Nears
While wary of upsetting Trump, European leaders have welcomed his involvement — with a caveat: no peace deal should be made without Ukraine’s full participation.
Trump’s decision to hold the Alaska summit marked a sudden shift. Just weeks earlier, he had expressed frustration with Putin’s resistance to US-led peace efforts.
He now says his envoy made “great progress” during recent talks in Moscow.
- A Gallup poll released last week showed:
- 69% of Ukrainians support a negotiated end to the war
However, most oppose any peace plan that involves significant territorial concessions
