$BTC President Trump warned on Wednesday that if Russian President Putin does not agree to end the Ukraine conflict, there will be 'serious consequences.' However, he also stated that if progress is made during the U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska on Friday, a second meeting involving Ukrainian President Zelensky could be quickly arranged.
Trump did not specify the content of the 'serious consequences,' but he previously warned that if the Alaska talks ended without results, he would consider imposing economic sanctions on Russia. This statement, along with the results of the video conference he held with European leaders and Zelensky that day, injected confidence into Kyiv—previously, Ukraine was worried that the Alaska summit might betray its interests through 'territorial division.'
However, Russia is likely to strongly resist Ukraine and Europe's demands. The Russian side had previously made it clear that its position is fully consistent with the plan proposed by Putin in June 2024. When asked, "If Putin still refuses to cease fire after Friday's talks, will there be consequences?" Trump briefly responded: "Yes, they will."
When reporters asked whether it involved sanctions or tariffs, he added: "It doesn't need to be stated outright, but the consequences would be very severe."
Trump positioned the Alaska meeting as a 'foundation for negotiations,' aimed at creating conditions for a swift launch of a trilateral talk involving Zelensky. He stated, "If the first meeting goes smoothly, we will immediately arrange a second one; I hope to hold a trilateral talk involving President Putin, President Zelensky, and myself almost seamlessly—of course, on the condition that they are willing to let me participate."
However, Trump did not provide a specific timeline for a second meeting.
Europe draws a 'red line'
In an emergency video conference hosted by Germany, European leaders clarified their bottom line to Trump before the Alaska meeting with Zelensky. "The call went very smoothly, President Zelensky was also online, and I give this exchange a perfect score," Trump commented.
French President Macron revealed that Trump clearly agreed that Ukraine must be involved in any discussions regarding territorial concessions. Zelensky stated that the U.S. supports providing security guarantees in the post-war agreement.
Macron emphasized: "President Trump has made it clear that the United States hopes to achieve a ceasefire during the Alaska talks. Another clear consensus is that the issue of Ukraine's territory can only be decided by the Ukrainian president, and no one else should interfere."
As the host of the meeting, German Chancellor Merz pointed out that the principle of 'force must not change borders' must be upheld. He stated: "If the Russian side shows no flexibility in Alaska, the U.S. and Europe should jointly increase pressure, and President Trump fully understands and broadly agrees with this position; this dialogue is extraordinarily constructive."
Russian military advances put pressure
Recently, Russian troops suddenly advanced in eastern Ukraine, suspected of putting pressure on Kyiv for territorial concessions. "I told the American president and all European colleagues that Putin's so-called 'desire for a ceasefire' is purely bluster," Zelensky said, "He is trying to exert pressure on the entire Ukrainian front before the Alaska meeting, attempting to prove that the Russian military is capable of occupying all of Ukraine."
Informed sources revealed that the video conference discussed potential cities for hosting the trilateral talks, depending on the outcome of the Alaska meeting. European leaders have repeatedly expressed support for Trump's mediation efforts, but are cautiously avoiding provoking the U.S. while insisting Ukraine must be involved in all agreements.
Trump's attitude towards holding a summit turned sharply last week after he spent several weeks complaining about Putin resisting the U.S. peace plan. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, made "significant progress" during talks in Moscow.
The latest Gallup poll shows that 69% of Ukrainians support ending the conflict through negotiations as soon as possible, but most oppose making significant concessions for peace.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeev reiterated that Moscow's position has not changed since last year. The ceasefire conditions proposed by Putin include: the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions claimed by Russia but not fully controlled, and a formal abandonment of plans to join NATO. Kyiv immediately rejected the demand, stating that it equates to surrender.
