U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning on Wednesday, saying Russia would face “severe consequences” if President Vladimir Putin refuses to pursue a peace deal in Ukraine. However, Trump also said that his meeting with Putin in Alaska could be followed closely by another involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

While Trump did not detail what form the consequences might take, he has previously indicated that economic penalties could be imposed if Friday’s summit with Putin fails to make progress.

Trump’s remarks came after a virtual meeting that brought together European leaders and Zelenskyy. Their joint call was seen as a coordinated effort to ensure Ukraine’s interests are not sidelined ahead of the Alaska summit. There have been concerns that the talks could result in territorial concessions at Ukraine’s expense.

Despite ongoing demands from Ukraine and its European allies, Russia has remained firm on its position, unchanged since Putin outlined it in June 2024.

When asked directly if Russia would face penalties for rejecting peace efforts, Trump replied, “Yes, they will.” Pressed on whether these would include tariffs or sanctions, he declined to give specifics, saying only that the response would be “very severe.”

Trump also emphasised that the purpose of the upcoming meeting is to lay the groundwork for a broader negotiation. If the first meeting goes well, he said he’s prepared to move quickly to a second, involving both Zelenskyy and Putin.

“I’d like the second meeting to happen almost immediately,” Trump stated, though no timeline has been set.

Red Lines and European Support

The earlier virtual discussion, organised by Germany, was aimed at presenting a united front and defining non-negotiable points ahead of the Alaska meeting.

Describing the call as “very friendly,” Trump said it included both Zelenskyy and European heads of state. French President Emmanuel Macron noted that Trump agreed any decisions about Ukrainian territory must include Ukraine’s leadership. Zelenskyy also confirmed that Trump backed the idea of long-term security guarantees for Ukraine once the conflict ends.

Macron said Trump made clear that securing a ceasefire in Alaska was the U.S. priority. He also reinforced the principle that any discussion of Ukraine’s borders must involve Zelenskyy directly.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasised that no peace deal should legitimise the use of force to change borders. He called for increased pressure on Moscow if Friday’s talks do not yield results.

“If Russia doesn’t shift its position in Alaska, both the U.S. and Europe must step up the pressure,” Merz said. “Trump understands this well, and our conversation was very constructive.”

High-Stakes Negotiation

The Trump-Putin meeting will address the war that has raged for more than three years, making it the largest European conflict since World War II. Trump has previously hinted that ending the war might involve territorial compromises, a stance that has raised concerns in Kyiv.

Recently, Russian troops made significant advances in eastern Ukraine, likely aimed at increasing leverage ahead of the talks. These gains could strengthen Russia’s bargaining position and raise fears that a peace deal might lock in those gains.

Zelenskyy, who traveled to Berlin to take part in the day’s virtual meetings, told allies that Putin’s peace talk is a bluff. “He’s trying to ramp up pressure ahead of Alaska. Russia wants to show it can overrun the entire country,” Zelenskyy said.

A source familiar with the discussions noted that the U.S. and allies have already begun considering possible cities to host a future three-way summit, contingent on progress in Alaska.

While cautious not to criticise Trump publicly, European leaders have consistently insisted that Ukraine must be at the table and that no decisions should be made without its full involvement.

Trump’s agreement to hold the Alaska summit followed a period of tension with Putin over stalled diplomatic efforts. He said his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, made meaningful strides in Moscow, prompting the decision to move forward.

Public sentiment in Ukraine reflects a desire for peace, with a recent Gallup poll showing 69% support for a negotiated end to the conflict. However, most Ukrainians oppose any settlement that would require major territorial concessions.

Meanwhile, Moscow’s position remains unchanged. Russian officials reiterated demands that Ukraine withdraw from four contested regions and abandon its pursuit of NATO membership as prerequisites for any ceasefire.