US President Donald Trump has promised “very severe consequences” for Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to end the war in Ukraine.
Both leaders are set to have a meeting on Friday.
It is the first direct talk between both leaders since Trump’s return to the White House in January.
While it is unclear what the demands or negotiations would be, Trump said the meeting would be a moment to feel out Putin’s parameters for ending the war in Ukraine.
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Speaking on Wednesday in Washington, Trump warned “there will be consequences” if expectations were not met.
Asked if that meant new sanctions or tariffs, Trump declined to clarify. “I don’t have to say,” he said, adding that “there will be very severe consequences”.
Trump had previously threatened new sanctions on Moscow as punishment for the Ukraine war unless Putin joined negotiations.
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Last Friday was set as a deadline to impose the sanctions, but it came and went without new sanctions.
Talks of a ceasefire have been largely stalled by the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, a call between European officials, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump took place earlier.
Trump said it was “a very good call”.
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However, Zelensky will not join Friday’s meeting between Trump and Putin.
