Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Aug 14: US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning of “very severe consequences” if the latter refuses to agree to a ceasefire later this week. The warning came after a high-level call with European leaders in preparation for Trump’s meeting with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday.
Speaking to reporters at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, Trump indicated he hoped to use the Alaska talks to set up a “quick second meeting” between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “There’s a very good chance we’re going to have a second meeting which will be more productive than the first,” Trump said, while making it clear he would not negotiate territorial concessions with Russia.
The call, hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, included leaders from Germany, France, Poland, Italy, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Zelenskiy. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that any decision on territory would rest solely with Ukraine, adding, “We must continue to support Ukraine until there is a ceasefire and lasting peace.”
According to people familiar with the discussions, Trump assured his European counterparts he would push Putin to meet with Zelenskiy and would be prepared to walk away from a second meeting if he judged the Russian leader as insincere. Turkey has been floated as a potential venue for a trilateral summit if talks progress.
The diplomatic push comes amid Moscow’s demands that Ukraine cede the entire eastern Donbas region and Crimea — a condition Kyiv has rejected outright. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has reiterated that surrendering Donbas is not an option, warning it could serve as a launchpad for future Russian offensives.
European leaders have jointly affirmed they will not recognize any territory illegally occupied by Russia. Trump, meanwhile, maintained that securing a ceasefire remains his top priority for the Alaska meeting.