Trump Warns Putin of ‘Severe Consequences’ Ahead of Alaska Talks on Ukraine War
Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Russia will face “serious consequences” if it refuses to end the war in Ukraine after their upcoming meeting in Alaska on August 15. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders on American soil, aimed at resolving a conflict that has dragged on for more than three and a half years.
The meeting location was decided after Russia initially proposed the UAE, but Trump chose Alaska instead. He told reporters on Wednesday that the talks will be crucial in determining whether peace is possible or if stronger action will be taken against Russia.
Zelensky Rejects Land-for-Peace Proposal
Earlier in the day, Trump held a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. During the talks, Trump floated the idea of a possible territorial exchange as part of a peace settlement a suggestion European leaders quickly warned against.
Zelensky firmly rejected the proposal, stating that Russia is merely pretending to be unaffected by sanctions and has no real interest in peace. He stressed that Ukraine would not surrender any land and that any agreement must begin with a ceasefire and solid security guarantees.
“My position is clear and unchanging,” Zelensky said at a press conference. “No decisions about Ukraine’s territory can be made without Ukraine’s consent. First, there must be a ceasefire, then security guarantees. Russia must not have a veto over our EU or NATO membership.”
Concerns Over a Possible Secret Deal
European and Ukrainian officials fear that the Trump-Putin talks could result in Russia controlling nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Leaders from Finland, France, the UK, Italy, Poland, the EU, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte are expected to attend the Alaska meeting.
Trump Calls Conflict ‘Biden’s War’
Following the European talks, Trump said he was uncertain whether he could persuade Putin to halt attacks on civilians in Ukraine. “Maybe not,” he admitted, “but I want to end this war. This is Biden’s war, but I’d be proud to end it just like I’ve ended five other wars in the past six months.”
Trump reiterated that if Putin refuses to stop the war, Russia will face “dangerous consequences.”
Past Trump-Putin Talks in 2025
The Alaska meeting will be the fifth conversation between Trump and Putin this year:
Feb 12: Discussed options to end the Ukraine war.
Mar 18: Talked about a potential ceasefire and peace agreement.
May 19: Held a two-hour discussion covering the war and other global issues.
Jun 4: Focused on Ukraine and Iran during a one-hour call.
War Background
The Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022 when Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Then-US President Joe Biden refused direct talks with Putin, warning that Russia would pay a “severe price.”
After taking office in February 2025, Trump held a 90-minute call with Putin, followed by high-level US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine’s participation. Trump has since publicly praised Putin while calling Zelensky a “dictator.”
Peace talks gathered momentum in May 2025, but disputes over territory and security guarantees remain unresolved. Ukraine has carried out prisoner exchanges with Russia but continues to reject any form of territorial compromise.
In a recent statement on X, Zelensky said, “True peace can only come from a just end to the war not by giving away Ukraine’s land.
