US President Donald Trump has warned of “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to end the war in Ukraine during their scheduled summit in Alaska on Friday, though he did not specify the measures.
The warning followed a virtual meeting with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused Putin of bluffing about peace and applying military pressure along the entire Ukrainian front. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the talks as “constructive and good.”
Kyiv and its allies fear the Alaska talks could see Trump and Putin attempt to set the terms for ending the 3½-year conflict. The meeting will take place at an American military base, a move analysts say ensures high security, avoids protests, and allows Trump to project US military strength while engaging in dialogue with Putin.
Benjamin Jensen, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the setting could give Trump a bargaining advantage and pave the way for a potential follow-up meeting.
The warning followed a virtual meeting with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused Putin of bluffing about peace and applying military pressure along the entire Ukrainian front. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the talks as “constructive and good.”
Kyiv and its allies fear the Alaska talks could see Trump and Putin attempt to set the terms for ending the 3½-year conflict. The meeting will take place at an American military base, a move analysts say ensures high security, avoids protests, and allows Trump to project US military strength while engaging in dialogue with Putin.
Benjamin Jensen, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the setting could give Trump a bargaining advantage and pave the way for a potential follow-up meeting.
