The President of the United States, Donald Trump, warned on Wednesday that the Russian leader, Vladímir Putin, will face "severe consequences" if he does not put an end to the war in Ukraine.
According to EFE, the statement comes on the eve of the bilateral summit scheduled for this Friday at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska. “Yes, there will be very serious consequences,” Trump stated during an event at the Kennedy Center in Washington when asked by the press about his plans regarding the conflict.
The Republican acknowledged that he has not been able to convince Putin to stop the attacks against the Ukrainian civilian population, but he insisted that he aims to "put an end to the war."
Possible trilateral summit
Trump announced that if the meeting with Putin goes well, a second meeting that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be summoned almost immediately.
"I would like to do it almost immediately. We will have a second quick meeting between President Putin, President Zelenski, and myself," he noted, describing that upcoming meeting as "more important than the first."
The U.S. president assured that he had a "very good" phone conversation with Zelensky and European leaders just hours before, and promised to reach out to them again after his meeting with Putin.
Background of tensions and previous threats
This is not the first direct warning from Trump to the Kremlin. In July, the president threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Russia if a peace agreement was not reached within 50 days.
"We should have reached a peace agreement two months ago," he said, lamenting that, while his conversations with Putin are "very pleasant," the bombings continue.
The Republican, who attributes the conflict to the legacy of his predecessor, has maintained that Putin “deceived Clinton, Bush, and Obama, but not me,” and has demanded immediate progress.
Frequently Asked Questions about the tensions between Trump and Putin regarding the war in Ukraine
What consequences has Donald Trump threatened to impose on Russia if it does not stop the war in Ukraine?
Donald Trump has warned Vladimir Putin of "severe consequences" if he does not stop the war in Ukraine. Among the measures mentioned, Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Russia if a peace agreement is not reached within 50 days. Additionally, he has considered the imposition of new economic sanctions and secondary tariffs on Russian oil. These statements reflect a shift in the Trump Administration's strategy towards a tougher stance against the Kremlin.
How does Trump plan to address the Ukraine conflict in his meeting with Putin?
Trump intends to convene a trilateral summit with Putin and Zelenski if his meeting with the Russian leader goes well. The initial meeting is scheduled to take place at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska. Trump has expressed his desire for this summit to be productive and has indicated his willingness to facilitate a meeting between Putin and Zelenski as a crucial step towards advancing peace. However, the initial bilateral approach has raised concerns among Kiev and European capitals, which fear that an agreement without Ukraine's participation could alter the strategic balances in Europe.
What is Trump's position on Russian control over Crimea?
Trump has criticized Zelenski for his refusal to consider the recognition of Russian control over Crimea. The American leader described Zelenski's statements as detrimental to peace negotiations and downplayed the inclusion of Crimea as a discussion topic, arguing that "Crimea was lost years ago." This stance contrasts with that of many Western leaders, who maintain that any peaceful solution must respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.
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