If I dont get answers from Putin...: What Trump said ahead of meeting Russian president
European leaders, led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are holding a series of virtual meetings to address Ukraine's exclusion from direct US-Russia negotiations. The discussions aim to present a united European stance and involve a "coalition of the willing" ready to enforce a future peace deal. Trump says he wants to assess if Putin is "serious" about ending the four-year war, but both Ukraine and Europe fear any agreement without their input could give Moscow strategic advantages and embo
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday delivered a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of their Alaska summit, cautioning that Moscow would face "very severe" consequences if he did not receive answers from him.
Earlier in the day, Trump said he had a "very good call" with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "We had a very good call. He was on the call — President Zelenskyy was on the call. I would rate it at 10. You know — very, very friendly," Trump told reporters during an event at Washington’s Kennedy Center.
The US President added that he wanted to hold a "quick second" meeting with Putin and Zelensky after the Alaska summit. During the conference call, Zelenskyy and his European allies urged Trump to back Kyiv and push for a ceasefire in his talks with Putin.
Fears over Ukraine concessions
With a stepped-up Russian offensive and Zelenskyy not invited to Friday’s Anchorage meeting, fears have grown that Trump and Putin could strike a deal requiring painful concessions from Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, Trump praised European leaders as "great people” before his virtual discussions on the Ukraine war. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, "Will be speaking to European Leaders in a short while. They are great people who want to see a deal done."
According to the German government, the talks were meant to ensure Europe’s and Ukraine’s positions were clear ahead of the August 15 US-Russia summit. Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin for the virtual meeting, while Trump and other leaders joined remotely. Zelenskyy is expected to make a statement alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after the talks.
Europe wary of deal
Merz has organised a series of virtual meetings with leaders from Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, the European Union, and NATO. The discussions focus on Ukraine’s concerns about being excluded from direct participation in the US-Russia talks and on presenting a united European stance. The final round will involve a "coalition of the willing” — nations prepared to help enforce any future peace deal.
Trump has said he wants to determine if Putin is "serious" about ending the war, now in its fourth year. However, both Ukraine and European leaders remain wary, warning that any agreement reached without their involvement could hand Putin strategic gains and encourage further aggression against other European countries.