Trump warns of ‘serious consequences’ if Putin refuses to meet Zelenskyy

US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that Russia would face “serious consequences” if President Vladimir Putin declines to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Very serious consequences may follow. Let’s see what happens. The consequences could be very serious, because this [war in Ukraine] is something that has to end,” Trump said during a joint press conference with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington.

The US President did not specify what those consequences might entail.

Following the summit, Trump proposed a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy said such talks should take place on neutral European territory — such as Austria or Switzerland — while also leaving the door open for negotiations in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated that Putin might be willing to meet with Zelenskyy “only if all issues requiring discussion at the highest level are well prepared.” The Ministry stressed that Ukraine and Russia remain far from reaching agreement on an agenda for such a summit.

Zelenskyy, however, expressed confidence that Moscow is doing everything possible to avoid a direct meeting.