US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing war in Ukraine, saying Moscow could face consequences if its actions do not meet Washington’s expectations. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he would speak with Putin soon but stressed that the Russian leader already understands his position. He added that the United States would respond depending on Russia’s next steps, saying, “If we’re unhappy, you’ll see things happen.”
The warning came as Putin repeated his willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but insisted such a meeting could only happen in Moscow. He also made clear that if talks fail, Russia is ready to continue pursuing its military objectives.
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Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Putin’s remarks, calling them a delaying tactic. He said Russia must face greater international pressure to engage in serious peace negotiations. Kyiv has refused any deal that involves giving up its territory, while Moscow continues to demand recognition of the regions it annexed.
At the same time, Zelenskyy confirmed he plans to speak with Trump about tougher sanctions against Russia. He also welcomed signals from Washington about possible long-term security assurances for Ukraine once the war ends. European leaders are backing this approach, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing that a group of European nations is ready to provide guarantees to Ukraine after a peace agreement is signed.
Trump has suggested that he could serve as a mediator between Putin and Zelenskyy, possibly pushing for a direct meeting between the two. However, deep differences between Ukraine and Russia’s positions leave little hope of an immediate breakthrough.
For now, international attention is focused on Trump’s upcoming call with Putin and Zelenskyy’s talks with European allies. These discussions could play a key role in shaping the next stage of diplomacy and determining whether the war heads toward negotiation or further escalation.
