WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Russia of “very severe” consequences if it doesn’t agree to stop the war. This is a hint that the U.S. is taking a tougher stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A reporter at the Kennedy Center asked Trump on Wednesday if Russian President Vladimir Putin would suffer any penalties if he didn’t stop the fighting. Trump said, “Yes, they will,” and added that the consequences would be “severe” and may include tariffs and sanctions.
The comments came just before Trump’s highly anticipated meeting with Putin on Friday, August 15, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. During the Cold War, the base was an important strategic site.
A Possible Second Meeting with Zelensky
Trump also said that he would suggest a second meeting that would involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump added, “If the first one goes well, we’ll have a quick second one.” He went on to say, “I’d like to do it almost right away, and if President Putin and President Zelensky want me there, we’ll have a quick second meeting.”
But Trump made it clear that this second meeting will not happen if he doesn’t get the answers he wants from Putin.
Tensions and accusations before the summit
Trump’s comments come after a virtual conference with European leaders in which he reportedly pushed for a ceasefire. During that discussion, Ukrainian President Zelensky said he didn’t believe Putin’s plans. He said that the Russian leader “is trying to apply pressure … on all sectors of the Ukrainian front” to show that Russia could “occupy all of Ukraine.” Zelensky called Putin’s activities a “bluff” before the conference.
The planned meeting between the two leaders is considered as a key point in the battle in Ukraine. The U.S. wants to help make peace while keeping up the pressure on Russia. The outcome of the meeting is yet unknown, and the way forward is still shaky.