Trump Warns Putin of Severe Consequences Ahead of Alaska Ukraine Summit

Ahead of the high-stakes Ukraine war summit in Alaska, US President Donald Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia would face severe economic consequences if it does not show interest in de-escalating the conflict. Trump expressed that his motivation for the talks was to save lives and emphasized the potential impact of the summit on both the trajectory of the Ukraine war and European security. The meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, with Trump expressing confidence that Putin was ready to pursue peace and outlining plans for a follow-up meeting with Ukraine's President Zelensky, possibly involving European leaders. Meanwhile, Russian state-affiliated journalists covering the summit reported poor accommodations, being housed overnight in a makeshift camp at Anchorage's Alaska Airlines Center due to fully booked hotels, a situation that drew ironic comparisons to the conditions endured by Ukrainians displaced by the war. The summit and associated events have also stirred concerns among Russian Americans in Alaska, like Lena Roik, who worried about negotiations occurring without Ukraine's involvement. Alaska's historic ties to Russia add cultural context to the location of these critical talks.