Trump Warns Putin of “Very Severe Consequences” if Ukraine War Continues; Floats Possible Three-Way Summit with Zelenskyy
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring that Moscow would face “very severe consequences” if it refuses to halt its military campaign in Ukraine.
The warning came just two days before a high-stakes U.S.-Russia summit scheduled for Friday in Alaska—a meeting being closely watched by global powers.
“There will be— I don’t have to say— there will be very severe consequences,” Trump told a packed audience at the Kennedy Center in Washington, leaving the exact measures deliberately unspecified.
When pressed by reporters on whether he believed Putin could be persuaded to stop targeting civilians, Trump admitted to deep frustration: I’ve had good conversations with him.
But then I go home and see that a rocket hit a nursing home, or an apartment building, and people are lying dead in the street. So I guess the answer to that is no, because I’ve had this conversation.”
A Second Summit on the Horizon?
Trump also hinted at the possibility of convening a second, follow-up summit—this time bringing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the table alongside Putin.
He suggested that such a three-way meeting could be “more productive” than Friday’s Alaska talks.
“In the first meeting, I’m going to find out where we are and what we’re doing,” Trump explained. “I would like to do it almost immediately, and we’ll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskyy, and me, if they’d like to have me there.”
He added that he plans to call Zelenskyy and several European leaders immediately after the Alaska summit to discuss the outcomes and possible next steps. His most recent discussions with European counterparts, he said, had been “very good” and “very friendly,” even rating them “a 10.”
Europe Aligns with U.S. on Ukraine Strategy
Ahead of the Alaska talks, leaders from Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the UK, the EU, and NATO publicly welcomed the high-level U.S.-Europe coordination. The consensus is clear: maintain unwavering support for Ukraine while tightening pressure on Moscow.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscored that Trump “largely shares” Europe’s position, emphasizing the need for Kyiv to be directly involved in any diplomatic roadmap for its future.
The strategy is based on supporting Ukraine and putting pressure on Russia.
So if in Alaska there’s no movement on the Russian side, then the U.S. and the Europeans need to increase the pressure,” Merz stated.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who has been closely engaged in back-channel discussions with Trump, described the coming days as critical: The next few days and weeks can be decisive for Ukraine’s future.”
Zelenskyy Urges Stronger Pressure on Moscow
From Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his call for allied nations to step up their efforts, warning that Putin’s claims of being unaffected by sanctions were nothing more than “bluff.”
He expressed gratitude for the unity shown by Western partners, stating: We share a common understanding – as long as Russia takes no steps toward peace, we must continue to exert pressure on it and strengthen support for Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy also thanked Germany for not only hosting recent coordination talks but also approving a new $500 million aid package to bolster Ukraine’s defense and humanitarian needs.
With the Alaska summit only hours away, diplomatic observers say the stakes could not be higher. While Trump’s direct rhetoric signals a willingness to confront Moscow, his push for rapid follow-up talks suggests a parallel track of pressure and negotiation—both aimed at bringing an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict in decades.
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