US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Russia, saying it will face “very severe” consequences if it does not agree to stop the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the Kennedy Centre on Wednesday, Trump made the remarks while answering a reporter’s question about his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

When asked, “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.” He explained that the measures could include tariffs and sanctions. “I don’t have to say. There will be severe consequences,” he added.

Possibility of a second peace meeting

Trump also told reporters he wants to hold a follow-up meeting that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “If the first one goes okay, we’ll have a quick second one. I would like to do it almost immediately, and we’ll have a quick second meeting between President Putin, and President Zelensky and myself, if they’d like to have me there,” Trump said.

However, he warned that this second meeting would not happen if he did not receive “the answers” he expected during the first talks.

Support for ceasefire from European leaders

Trump’s comments came shortly after a virtual meeting with European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron said the US president was prioritising a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

During the same call, Zelensky claimed that Putin “is bluffing” ahead of the Alaska summit. He also accused Russia of increasing pressure on “all sectors of the Ukrainian front” in an attempt to prove it could “occupy all of Ukraine.”

Historic venue for high-stakes talks

The meeting between Trump and Putin is scheduled for Friday, August 15, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. According to an Associated Press report, the base played a key role during the height of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. A White House official confirmed the venue but spoke on the condition of anonymity.