President Donald Trump doubled his threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin could experience ‘very serious’ economic consequences if he blocks the peace process in Ukraine. He repeated the warning as he spoke with reporters on board Air Force One on his way to Alaska for a high-stakes conversation with Putin.
The meeting in Alaska marks the first US-Russian top since 2021 and is expected to focus on ending Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
Putin praises Trump’s ‘sincere’ peace efforts, signals possible nuclear deal in the US and Russia
Trump insists to end the Ukrainian war since he took office. Despite a rocky relationship with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zenskyy – including a heated exchange in the Oval Office in February, Trump has chosen a tough approach to Russia. Sometimes, however, he doubted whether Zenskyy or Putin was willing to close a cease -fire.
Earlier this week, Putin seemed optimistic about the process, even Trump’s prizes because “in my opinion, he made fairly energetic and sincere efforts to stop hostilities, to stop the crisis and to reach agreements that are important for all parties involved in this conflict” “” ” According to Reuters. It remains unclear how the Russian leader will respond when they will respond face-to-face with Trump in Alaska.
Dug Loshbaugh has a sign during a rally in Anchorage, Alaska, Thursday, August 14, 2025, prior to a meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
What we know about Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska
The top is also high-stakes for Trump, whose legacy can depend on his ability to bring peace in a region that has been plagued by war for more than three years.
Even the current and former rivals of Trump seem to recognize the effort. Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, said on the podcast of Raging Moderates that she would nominate the president for a Nobel Peace Prize if he was the “architect” of a deal that would end the war.
One of the biggest obstacles for peace is the possibility of territory waps – a proposal that supports Trump and firmly against Zenskyy. There are worries that these Swaps Russia would hand over some of the most strategic and resources -rich regions of Ukraine.
President Donald Trump Boards Air Force One while he is leaving for Alaska to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate the war in Ukraine, from a joint basis Andrews in Maryland, August 15, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
Trump threatens ‘very serious’ consequences when Russia does not agree to end the Ukrainian war
When tackling the issue, State Secretary Said Marco Rubio That it would “take some time” to work out details of potential territory waps.
“I think the hope of the president is to reach a stopping of fighting so that those conversations can happen. These are very technical things that take some time to train,” Rubio told reporters on Thursday.
“We want there to be a peace. We are going to do everything we can to reach one, but in the end it is up to Ukraine and Russia to vote,” he added.
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On Thursday, Putin hinted that Russia could be open to achieving a nuclear arms trade with the US, although it is unclear whether it will be on the agenda on Friday.
The current treaty between the two countries on measures for the further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive poor, also known as the new starting treaty (strategic arms reduction), can be ended in February.
