US President Donald Trump has warned Russian leader Vladimir Putin of “severe consequences” if Moscow refuses to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine during their highly anticipated summit in Alaska this Friday.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Trump did not detail what the consequences would be, but has previously threatened Russia with further harsh economic sanctions if it continues its military campaign in Ukraine.
European Leaders and Zelensky United on Ceasefire
The warning follows a virtual meeting between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders, including German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock Merz.
Zelensky said Trump expressed support for a ceasefire and for providing security guarantees to Ukraine, adding that the US was willing to “take part” in implementing such arrangements.
“All the partners demonstrated one voice, one desire, and one principle. The same principle and the same vision. This is an important step forward,”
— President Volodymyr Zelensky
Zelensky also claimed that Putin is demanding Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk, but vowed that Ukraine would “never leave” the Donbas region, warning that any retreat could give Russia a staging ground for a future invasion.
The First Trump–Putin Face-to-Face in Seven Years
Friday’s meeting will mark the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Putin in seven years, and it will be held at a highly secure US military site — Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
The base, Alaska’s largest, houses approximately 32,000 personnel and combines the Air Force’s Elmendorf Air Base with the US Army’s Fort Richardson. It is home to some of America’s most advanced fighter jets and has been visited by multiple US presidents in the past.
Putin is expected to arrive in Anchorage via a special flight before being escorted to the base for closed-door talks with Trump.
High Stakes for Ukraine and the West
The Alaska summit comes at a critical juncture in the Ukraine war, as Kyiv continues to press its Western allies for stronger military support and concrete steps toward ending the conflict.
European leaders have stressed unity with the US ahead of the talks, fearing that any concessions to Moscow could undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
While Trump’s threat of “severe consequences” underscores a tough public stance, the precise outcome of the summit — and whether it can produce a lasting ceasefire — remains uncertain.
