Key points
- Zelensky says Putin bluffing, applying pressure before summit
- Trump, Putin to meet Friday at Alaska military base
- Meeting location ensures security, avoids protests and disruptions
ISLAMABAD: United States (US) President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that there would be “very severe consequences” should Russian President Vladimir Putin fail to agree to end his war in Ukraine following their summit in Alaska on Friday, although he did not specify what those consequences would entail.
Trump’s remarks came after a virtual meeting with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who told the group that Putin “is bluffing” about wanting peace, according to AP.
Sky News at Ten with @annabotting:
🔴 Trump threatens ‘very severe consequences’ if Putin doesn’t agree to ceasefire at summit
🔴 Three teenagers appear in court charged with murder of man at seaside resort https://t.co/ULKXHni5wV
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 13, 2025
“He is trying to apply pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front. Russia is trying to show that it can occupy all of Ukraine.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the discussion with Trump as “constructive and good.”
Trump and Putin are set to meet on Friday at an American military base in Alaska, raising concerns among Kyiv and its allies that the two leaders could attempt to dictate peace terms.
Applying pressure
“He is trying to apply pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front. Russia is trying to show that it can occupy all of Ukraine.”
The choice of a US military base as the meeting location allows the leaders to avoid protests and ensures a significant level of security.
“For President Trump, it’s a great way for him to show American military strength while also isolating the ability of the public or others to intervene with what he probably hopes is a productive dialogue,” said Jensen.
He added that the venue allows Trump to build ties with Putin while “signaling military power to try to gain that bargaining advantage to make a second meeting possible.”
