From Fox News: President Donald Trump doubled down on his threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin could face “very severe” economic consequences if he blocks the Ukraine peace process. He reiterated the warning while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Alaska for a high-stakes talk with Putin.
The meeting in Alaska marks the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021, and is expected to focus on ending Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
Trump has been pushing to end the Ukraine war since he took office. Despite a rocky relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — including a heated exchange in the Oval Office in February, Trump has taken a tough approach to Russia. However, at times he has doubted whether either Zelenskyy or Putin were prepared to secure a ceasefire deal.
Putin appeared optimistic about the process earlier this week, even praising Trump for “making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities, stop the crisis and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict,” according to Reuters. It remains unclear how the Russian leader will respond when face-to-face with Trump in Alaska.
White House assistant Margo Martin posted a video as President Trump was boarding Air Force One Friday morning.
President @realDonaldTrump en route to ALASKA! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/KOK2uHXSLZ
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) August 15, 2025
On the plane, a reporter asked Trump if territorial swaps are on the table.
“They’ll be discussed, but I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision … I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I’m here to get them at a table,” Trump replied.
.@POTUS on the possibility of territorial swaps: “They’ll be discussed, but I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision … I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I’m here to get them at a table.” pic.twitter.com/IQJGr1Wyi1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 15, 2025
Another reporter asked if there will be severe consequences if Putin doesn’t agree to a peace agreement, and Trump said yes, economically severe.
“I’m not doing this for my health. I don’t need it. I’d like to focus on our country — but I’m doing this to save a lot of lives,” he said.
.@POTUS en route to Alaska: “I’m not doing this for my health. I don’t need it. I’d like to focus on our country — but I’m doing this to save a lot of lives.” pic.twitter.com/nHd5jKSXLI
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 15, 2025
Trump confirmed there is a possibility of the US providing security guarantees to Ukraine – not in the form of NATO, but with assistance from “Europe and other countries.”
.@POTUS on “security guarantees”: “Not in the form of NATO because there are certain things that aren’t going to happen — but along with Europe, there’s a possibility of that.” pic.twitter.com/p1VslFOrQH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 15, 2025
Ahead of his departure Friday morning, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “HIGH STAKES!!!”
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