Russian President Vladimir Putin will face “very extreme penalties” if he continues his nation’s raging battle in opposition to Ukraine.
That is in line with President Donald Trump, who made the risk Wednesday throughout a information convention. He was answering a query from a reporter at an unrelated occasion in Washington.
The comment got here quickly after Trump consulted with European leaders, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, throughout a digital assembly.
The leaders mentioned Trump assured them he would make a precedence of attempting to attain a ceasefire in Ukraine when he meets with Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Zelenskyy hasn’t been invited to the summit, with White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying it’s because Putin asked Trump to meet, not the other way around. She advised it’s as much as Putin to determine if he needs to incorporate Zelenskyy.
This assembly happened as a result of the president of Russia requested the president of the USA to satisfy by his Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff, who as you all know, traveled to Russia to have a dialog with Putin at his request,” Leavitt mentioned Tuesday throughout a information briefing. “And so the president is agreeing to this assembly on the request of President Putin, and the objective of this assembly for the president is to stroll away with a greater understanding of how we are able to finish this battle.”
She added that Trump has mentioned he would love a gathering for all three leaders in hopes of ending the continuing battle between Russia and Ukraine.
This administration has actually used each lever, has taken each measure to attain peace by a diplomatic resolution and I believe the president of the USA getting within the room with the president of Russia — sitting face-to-face somewhat than talking over the phone — will give this president the perfect indication of finish this battle and the place that is headed,” she mentioned.
Putin lately mentioned he is unwilling to satisfy will Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy has make it clear he needs to attend the summit. In a press release shared on social media, he mentioned his nation “is prepared for actual choices that may convey peace.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Related Press contributed to this report.
