US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening severe consequences if an agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine is not reached during their forthcoming summit in Alaska. Trump emphasized that Russia would face significant repercussions if Putin does not agree to resolve the ongoing conflict. The President made these statements during an address at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Earlier, Trump participated in a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, describing the discussion as “very good” and rating it a perfect 10 for its friendly nature. The upcoming summit with Putin, Trump’s first meeting with the Russian leader in his second term, is expected to pave the way for a potential trilateral summit involving Putin, Zelenskyy, and himself.
Trump expressed optimism for a productive second meeting following the initial summit, aimed at progress and clarification on the current situation. However, he emphasized that a follow-up meeting might not occur if the initial discussions do not yield satisfactory outcomes.
Despite his campaign promises to end the conflict promptly upon taking office, Trump has faced challenges in achieving a peace deal. He previously threatened to impose “secondary sanctions” on Russia’s allies due to the Ukrainian invasion, but no actions have been taken following the expiration of his deadline. Recent data indicates a significant advancement by Russian forces into Ukraine, marking the largest 24-hour progress in over a year.
As the conflict in eastern Ukraine persists, Zelenskyy engaged in discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders, emphasizing the need for a united front against Russia. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions, asserting that the Russian leader does not genuinely seek peace.
Trump downplayed expectations for a breakthrough at the upcoming summit but anticipated constructive dialogues with Putin. He characterized the initial meeting as exploratory, with the potential for territorial exchanges in the future.