Do you have faith Donald Trump can end the war in Ukraine? Vote in our poll
Donald Trump has warned Russian leader Vladimir Putin that he faces severe consequences if he walks away from the summit in Alaska on Friday without a stop to the war in Ukraine - and we want to hear your thoughts.
It comes after Keir Starmer said yesterday there is a "viable" chance of reaching a ceasefire in the Ukraine war as a result of the US President's work. Following virtual calls with Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, the PM said Britain stands ready to "increase pressure" on Russia if necessary.
Briefing the Coalition of the Willing after the calls, Starmer said: "As I've said personally to President Trump, for three and a bit years this conflict has been going on and we haven't got anywhere near the prospect of actually a viable solution, a viable way, of bringing it to a ceasefire. And now we do have that chance because of the work that the President has put in." It comes after Putin warned of nuclear war after unleashing another night of hell on Ukraine.
However, Kyiv believes Putin is bluffing about his willingness to end the bloodshed. In a joint briefing in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelensky said: "I told the US president and all our European colleagues that Putin is bluffing. He is trying to apply pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front. Russia is trying to show that it can occupy all of Ukraine."
After the talks, Zelensky said Trump supports providing security guarantees for Ukraine if there is a peace agreement. He said: "There should be security guarantees. President Trump said that he supports this and about America's readiness to take part." The Ukrainian President said he hoped the primary focus of the Alaska talks would be an immediate ceasefire, with any discussions on territorial issues to be addressed at a meeting involving all three leaders.
Trump warned there will be "very severe consequences" if Putin refuses to stop the killing. When pushed on what these consequences would be, he said: "I don't have to say." He added: "If I do not get the necessary answers during the meeting with Putin, there will be no next meeting."
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Nato's Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, said after a separate call with Trump, Zelensky and European leaders: "We are united in pushing to end this terrible war. The ball is now in Putin's court."
Despite the impending Trump-Putin showdown, Russia's military continued strikes on Ukraine last night. With just hours until the US and Russian leaders meet for crucial talks, we want to know if you think Trump can end the war in Ukraine? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
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