Trump warns of 'very serious consequences' ahead of Alaska summit; 'Putin must be prepared to end the war in Ukraine'

 

 

 

Washington: US President Donald Trump has warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to end the war in Ukraine, there will be serious consequences. The US President warned Russia and Putin in a response to the media during an event held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Trump was responding to questions about the Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to be held on Friday. Trump warned of 'very serious consequences' if Putin does not agree to end the war in Ukraine. The American President described that he had had good conversations with Putin and hoped that the war could be ended.

Asked about reports that Russia had hacked computer systems that handle US federal court records, Trump responded that he was ready to ask Putin about it during his meeting on Friday. "Are you surprised? They're hacking," Trump replied. Trump added that there was a possibility of a second meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump said the second meeting would be "much more productive" than the first meeting scheduled for Friday in Alaska. Trump described the first meeting as "where we are and what we're doing." "What I want is to end the war immediately, and if Putin and Zelensky want to be with me, we'll have a quick second meeting," Trump added. The US president also described his plan to call Zelensky and other European leaders after Friday's talks.

Meanwhile, European countries and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took a tough stance at a virtual meeting of European countries ahead of the Alaska summit. Zelensky, who participated in a virtual meeting of European countries, argued for Ukraine's rights. This was strongly supported by the German Chancellor, among others. Zelensky raised the position that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia should be the first thing in the discussion. European leaders also supported Zelensky's position of a ceasefire first, then a peace agreement.