President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that there will be 'very severe consequences' if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war against Ukraine after the two leaders meet for a summit later this week in Alaska. Trump made the comment in response to a question from a reporter after announcing this year's Kennedy Centre Honours recipients in Washington. He did not say what the consequences might be.

The remark came soon after Trump consulted with European leaders, who said the president assured them he would make a priority of trying to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine when he meets with Putin on Friday in Anchorage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined several of Kyiv's main allies in the virtual meeting with the US leader, and Zelenskyy told the group that Putin 'is bluffing' ahead of the planned summit about Russia's ability to occupy all of Ukraine and shake off sanctions.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said afterward that 'important decisions' could be made in Alaska, but he stressed that 'fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be protected.' Merz convened Wednesday's meeting in an attempt to make sure European and Ukrainian leaders are heard ahead of the summit.