15 August,2025 09:52 PM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondent
US President Donald Trump departs for Alaska to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for high-stakes talks on ending the Ukraine war. PIC/AFP
United States (US) President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of their high-stakes summit in Alaska. Trump stated that Russia would face "severe economic consequences" if Putin does not show interest in de-escalating the Ukraine conflict, reported ANI.
Making the remarks on Friday (local time), the US President said the upcoming talks would focus on exploring ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
"Yes, Russian President Vladimir Putin will face severe economic consequences if he is not interested. I am not doing this for my health. I don't need it. I would like to focus on our country. But I am doing this to save a lot of lives," said Trump.
He spoke on board US Air Force One en route to the face-to-face meeting with Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska - a summit that could determine not only the trajectory of the war in Ukraine but also the future of European security, reported ANI.
On Wednesday, Trump had said there would be "very severe consequences" for Russia if Putin did not agree to end the Ukraine war during their Friday meeting, according to CNN.
"There will be consequences," he had said during an event at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
Earlier on Friday, Trump shared a post on Truth Social, stating simply: "High Stakes!"
Speaking to the media, the US President expressed confidence that Putin was now ready to pursue peace, reported ANI. "I think President Putin will make peace and President Zelensky will make peace," he told reporters.
Looking beyond the Alaska talks, Trump outlined plans for a follow-up meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, potentially joined by European leaders. He described that session as possibly even more important than the first.
"We have a meeting with President Putin tomorrow. I think it's gonna be a good meeting, but the more important meeting will be the second meeting that we're having. We're gonna have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelenskyy, me, and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders along, maybe not," he said.
The summit is expected to discuss ceasefire arrangements, prisoner exchanges, arms-control measures, and possible economic or security guarantees to bring an end to the conflict.
Trump has vowed to "end the Ukraine war quickly," while Putin seeks recognition of Russia's territorial gains and relief from Western sanctions. Ukrainian President Zelensky has refused to surrender territory and has not been invited to the summit.
The outcome of the talks could reshape global energy flows and influence India's import strategy. A peace deal might reduce energy prices and ease trade pressures for India, while a breakdown could keep commodity markets volatile and US trade pressure intact.
According to the White House, several officials are accompanying the US President on Air Force One, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Ambassador Steve Witkoff, among others.
(With ANI inputs)
