US President Donald Trump warned of “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to halt the war in Ukraine following their upcoming summit in Alaska later this week. Trump made the statement while responding to a reporter’s question after announcing this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees in Washington, without specifying what measures the U.S. might take.
The warning came shortly after Trump held consultations with European leaders, during which he assured them that securing a ceasefire in Ukraine would be a top priority during his meeting with Putin on Friday in Anchorage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined the virtual meeting with Trump and allied leaders, telling them that Putin was bluffing about Russia’s capacity to fully occupy Ukraine or withstand the impact of international sanctions ahead of the planned summit.
