Trump issues warning to Putin, threatening 'severe repercussions' if Russia persists with the ongoing conflict
In a virtual conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, President Donald Trump has threatened "very severe" or "severe consequences" against Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war in Ukraine [2][4][5].
Trump indicated that these consequences could include massive sanctions, tariffs, or both, with particular attention towards tariffs related to Russian oil imports [1][3]. He plans to impose a 25% tariff targeting countries such as India that buy and then resell Russian oil, aiming to deter economic support for Russia and pressure the country towards peace [1].
While Trump was very clear that there would be consequences if Russia does not end the war, he has not detailed the full scope or all measures publicly, stating "I don't have to say" what the punishments will be [2][4][5]. He has, however, emphasized that these threats and measures aim to pressure Russia towards a resolution that ends the conflict and saves lives, expressing frustration over ongoing violence against civilians [2][4].
Zelenskyy, for his part, hopes that the central topic of the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska will be a ceasefire [6]. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer believes real progress was made in the virtual meeting and is ready to support Friday's meeting between Trump and Putin [7]. Starmer's coalition is ready to implement plans if a ceasefire is reached, including security guarantees for Ukraine [7].
Putin and Trump are scheduled to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage [8]. However, Russia's stance on ending the war in Ukraine has not changed since Putin laid out his conditions last year [9].
Meanwhile, the conflict continues. Overnight, long-range strikes by Russia and Ukraine continued, with Ukraine's air force reporting the shooting down or suppression of 32 drones and both North Korean-made ballistic missiles, while Russia's Defense Ministry reported the shooting down of 63 Ukrainian drones [10].
European leaders, after the call, said that Trump told them he would press Putin for a ceasefire [11]. European governments also support Ukraine in any coming peace negotiations [12]. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, considers the consultations requested by Europe as politically and practically insignificant [13].
As the situation in Ukraine remains tense, the world waits to see if the meeting in Alaska will lead to a breakthrough in the conflict.
Sources:
- Reuters
- CNN
- Bloomberg
- NBC News
- The Washington Post
- Reuters
- BBC News
- AP News
- The Moscow Times
- AP News
- Reuters
- BBC News
- The Moscow Times
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