Trump Warns Russia of ‘Very Severe Consequences’ Over Ukraine War Ahead of Alaska Summit

August 14, 2025 MTIMES 106 Views Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Pokrovsk Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, Trump Putin Alaska summit, Trump warning to Russia, Ukraine peace talks, Ukraine war news, US Russia relations, Volodymyr Zelenskyy 2 min read

US President Donald Trump has issued a strong Trump warning to Russia, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that there will be “very severe consequences” if Moscow refuses to halt its ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump’s remarks came on Wednesday, just days before his scheduled summit with Putin in Alaska on Friday, where the Ukraine conflict will be a key focus.

Speaking at the Kennedy Center, Trump responded firmly to a reporter’s question: “Will Russia face any consequences if Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war after your meeting on Friday?” Trump replied, “Yes, they will,” hinting at measures such as tariffs, sanctions, and other yet-to-be-disclosed actions. “I don’t have to say. There will be severe consequences,” he stressed, underscoring the seriousness of his stance.

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Ukraine Territorial Talks to Include Zelenskyy

European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, have insisted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must be directly involved in any negotiation process. Zelenskyy has firmly rejected the idea of territorial concessions in exchange for peace, calling such arrangements unconstitutional.

Trump’s warning comes as Russian forces intensify their advances in eastern Ukraine, particularly around Pokrovsk. Zelenskyy has accused Putin of using these offensives to pressure Ukrainian defenses and project an image of total dominance. “Putin is bluffing about sanctions, as if they do not matter to him and are ineffective. In reality, sanctions are very helpful and are hitting Russia’s war economy hard,” Zelenskyy stated.

During a recent video conference involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders, Macron confirmed that Trump’s primary focus remains achieving a ceasefire. “Territorial issues relating to Ukraine … will only be negotiated by the Ukrainian president,” Macron affirmed, making it clear that any future agreements will respect Kyiv’s authority.

With the Alaska summit set to be a pivotal diplomatic event, tensions remain high as both Washington and Moscow prepare for potentially decisive talks, all while the situation on the ground in Ukraine continues to escalate.

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