Donald Trump has warned of “very severe consequences” if Vladimir Putin refuses to halt the war in Ukraine after their upcoming summit in Alaska. According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump told European leaders in a virtual meeting that securing a ceasefire is his top priority. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also joined the call, insisted Putin is bluffing—both about his ability to occupy all of Ukraine and about being unaffected by sanctions, which he said are damaging Russia’s war economy.
Macron stressed that Trump sees territorial matters as Ukraine’s decision alone and is exploring a possible future meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelensky, potentially in a neutral European country. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted Wednesday’s talks to ensure European and Ukrainian positions are heard before Trump meets Putin.
Zelensky, speaking in Berlin, said over 30 discussions with partners have taken place ahead of the summit, but he sees no sign Russia is preparing to end the war. He rejected any ceasefire that would require Ukraine to withdraw from the 30% of Donetsk it still holds, calling such concessions unconstitutional and a setup for further Russian aggression.
European leaders fear that without Kyiv’s direct involvement, any peace deal could favor Moscow and embolden Putin to target other countries. Meanwhile, Russian forces are pressing toward Pokrovsk in the Donbas—an advance analysts say could give Russia a strategic victory and weaken Ukraine’s position going into the talks.