Donald Trump has threatened Vladimir Putin with “severe consequences” if the Russian leader does not agree to a ceasefire after crunch talks in Alaska this week.
The US president did not say what these would be, but has previously threatened Moscow with harsh sanctions if it did not agree to a truce in Ukraine.
It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky said Mr Trump told European leaders he supports a ceasefire and the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine and discussed America’s willingness to “take part” in this.
The Ukrainian president was speaking after a virtual meeting with Mr Trump and other European leaders, as Kyiv presses its case on the US president ahead of the landmark meeting on Friday.
“All the partners demonstrated one voice, one desire, and one principle. The same principle and the same vision. This is an important step forward,” he added.
Zelensky said Putin has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk, but vowed Ukraine would “never leave” the Donbas and warned Putin’s troops could use it as a spring board for a future invasion.
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Ukraine-Russia latest: Key Points
- 'Severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to stop war, warns Trump
- Zelensky: Trump supports a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine
- US and Russia 'propose West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine'
- Macron: Trump said Ukraine must be involved in territory negotiations
- European leaders 'great people who want a deal', Trump says ahead of virtual meeting
Ukraine, US, European leaders discuss venue for follow-up meeting after Trump-Putin summit
00:01
,
Alexander Butler
Leaders of the US, Ukraine and Europe discussed possible locations for a follow-up meeting between US president Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.
Mr Trump said on Wednesday there was a “very good chance” of Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky meeting after his crunch summit with the Russian leader in Alaska on Friday
Possible locations include cities in Europe and the Middle East, according to sources close to the matter.
Watch: Trump warns of 'severe consequences' if Russia doesn't stop Ukraine war
23:09
,
Holly Evans
Inside the remote military base where Trump and Putin will hold historic summit
23:00
,
Alexander Butler
When Trump and Putin go head to head in Alaska, who wins?
22:41
,
Holly Evans
Even by Donald Trump’s standards, his pre-match assessment of how his bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart would play out was bullish.
“We’re going to have a meeting with Vladimir Putin,” he told a news conference at the White House. “And at the end of that meeting – probably in the first two minutes – I’ll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made. Cos that’s what I do – I make deals.”
It’s typical Trump: boastful, bereft of meaning and utterly unconvincing.
On Friday, when Trump welcomes the Russian president to talks in Alaska, like a python eyeing a particularly plump suckling piglet, Putin will squeeze the spirit out of him, and then eat him for breakfast, as he has on each and every occasion when this tragically unevenly matched pair have had cause to interact.
Read the analysis here:
Putin appears ready to test new missile as he prepares for Trump talks
22:30
,
Alexander Butler
Russia appears to be preparing to test its new nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered cruise missile, according to two US researchers and a Western security source, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin readies for talks on Ukraine with US President DonaldTrump on Friday.
Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies, and Decker Eveleth of the CNA research and analysis organisation, based in Virginia, reached their assessments separately by studying imagery taken in recent weeks until Tuesday by Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm.
They agreed the photos showed extensive activity at the Pankovo test site on the Barents Sea archipelago of Novaya Zemlya, including increases in personnel and equipment and ships and aircraft associated with earlier tests of the 9M730 Burevestnik (Storm Petrel).
“We can see all of the activity at the test site, which is both huge amounts of supplies coming in to support operations and movement at the place where they actually launch the missile,” Lewis said.
69 per cent of Ukrainians favour negotiated end to war, poll finds
22:16
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Holly Evans
A Gallup poll released last week found that 69 per cent of Ukrainians favour a negotiated end to the war as soon as possible. But polls also indicate Ukrainians do not want peace at any cost if that means significant concessions.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeev earlier said Moscow's stance had not changed since last year.
As conditions for a ceasefire and the start of talks, Putin had demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from four regions that Russia has claimed as its own but does not fully control, and formally renounce plans to join NATO.
Kyiv swiftly rejected the conditions as tantamount to surrender.
Trump has suggested Ukraine swap land with Russia – but that’s illegal
22:00
,
Alexander Butler
Trump threatens 'severe consequences': What we know so far
21:47
,
Alexander Butler
US president Donald Trump joined a call with Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders today in which he was said to have backed the idea of security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
When asked if Russia would face any consequences if Putin does not agree to stop the war after Friday’s meeting, Mr Trump said: “Yes, they will.”
Asked if those consequences would be sanctions or tariffs, Trump told reporters: “I don't have to say, there will be very severe consequences.”
The remark came soon after Mr 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 speaks with Mr Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska.
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, which had several European heads of state, in an attempt to make sure European and Ukrainian leaders are heard ahead of the summit.
He stressed that a ceasefire must come at the beginning of negotiations. He said Mr Trump "also wants to make this one of his priorities" in the meeting with Putin.
Ukraine believes Putin has just ‘one card left to play’ in ceasefire talks – and it gives Kyiv an upper hand
21:30
,
Alexander Butler
Watch: Starmer says Ukraine ceasefire viable because of Trump
21:05
,
Alexander Butler
Analysis: How Russia’s war on Ukraine led to crucial Trump-Putin summit - and why the stakes are so high
19:47
,
Alexander Butler
Donald Trump is meeting Vladimir Putin in Alaska in what the US president has said may be little more than a “look see”, but in truth may prove an encounter that defines Europe -and global security - for decades.
From Trump’s perspective, the summit may be part of his drive for a Nobel Peace Prize by ending Putin’s war against Ukraine using the “art of the deal”. Putin, however, is likely to prevail and his agenda is the art of the steal – specifically a massive grab of his neighbour’s land.
Missing from the meeting is the country most affected – Ukraine itself. Led by Volodymyr Zelensky, it has held out against the Kremlin for 11 years.
Read the full analysis from our world affairs editor Sam Kiley here:
Trump asked Polish President Nawrocki to replace Tusk in Ukraine meeting
19:43
,
Alexander Butler
US President Donald Trump at the last minute requested Maga-allied Polish President Karol Nawrocki join the Ukraine teleconference with European leaders on Wednesday, according to centrist Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Nawrocki's bitter political rival who had been expected to attend.
Nawrocki, a conservative nationalist and eurosceptic, is an ally of Trump's right-wing populist Maga political movement and visited the White House during Poland's presidential election campaign this year. He defeated the candidate of Tusk's pro-European, centrist party in June.
"Just before midnight yesterday we received information, alongside our European partners, that the American side would prefer that Poland was represented by the president in contacts with President Trump," Tusk told a news conference.
The White House did not comment whether the US requested Nawrocki rather than Tusk take part in the call.
A Polish government spokesperson said on Tuesday that Tusk, a former head of the European Council of leaders, would attend the call with Trump.
Russian forces advance in the Donbas after heavy fighting
18:58
,
Holly Evans
Russian forces on the ground in Ukraine have been closing in on a key territorial grab around the city of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donbas region that comprises Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, which Putin has long coveted.
Military analysts using open-source information to monitor the battles have said Ukraine's ability to fend off those advances could be critical.
Losing Pokrovsk would hand Russia an important victory ahead of the summit and could complicate Ukrainian supply lines to the Donetsk region, where the Kremlin has focused the bulk of military efforts.
Inside the remote military base where Trump and Putin will hold historic summit
18:45
,
Alexander Butler
Friedrich Merz shares photo of European conference
18:32
,
Holly Evans
In a post on social media, German chancellor Friedrich Merz shared a photo of him and Volodymyr Zelensky discussing the upcoming Alaska meeting with European counterparts.
Die Gespräche mit unseren Freunden und Partnern sind ausgesprochen gut.
— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) August 13, 2025
Es gibt Hoffnung auf einen Frieden in der Ukraine. Wir wollen, dass Donald Trump in Alaska Erfolg hat und wir Europäer tun alles, um die Weichen für dieses Treffen in die richtige Richtung zu stellen. pic.twitter.com/IZXu9tFb5C
Ukraine, US, European leaders discuss venue for follow-up meeting after Trump-Putin summit
18:30
,
Alexander Butler
Leaders of the US, Ukraine and Europe discussed possible locations for a follow-up meeting between US president Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.
Mr Trump said on Wednesday there was a “very good chance” of Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky meeting after his crunch summit with the Russian leader in Alaska on Friday
Possible locations include cities in Europe and the Middle East, according to sources close to the matter.
'Coalition of the Willing' welcome Trump's efforts for peace
18:23
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Holly Evans
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have welcomed Donald Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.
A joint statement from the European leaders said: “First, meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or a lasting and significant cessation of hostilities.
“Second, sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy should be strengthened if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Alaska.
“Third, international borders must not be changed by force.
“Fourth, Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The coalition of the willing is ready to play an active role, including through plans by those willing to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its co-operation with third countries. Russia could not have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and Nato.”
Watch: Vance says Britain and US 'win every single time we go together'
18:15
,
Alexander Butler
Zelensky tells Trump that Putin is ‘bluffing’ and does not want peace ahead of crunch Ukraine summit
18:00
,
Alexander Butler
Europe rallies behind Ukraine after talks with Trump
17:43
,
Alexander Butler
EU leaders have rallied behind Ukraine after praising a “very good call” with US president Donald Trump ahead of his landmark summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Finland's President Alexander Stubb said the next few days and weeks could be decisive in the Ukraine peace process.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a "very good call".
"Today Europe, the US and NATO have strengthened the common ground for Ukraine.
"We will remain in close coordination. Nobody wants peace more than us, a just and lasting peace."
German chancellor Friedrich Merz described the meeting with Trump as "constructive" and said that "important decisions" could be made in Anchorage, but stressed that "fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be protected" at the summit.
'Severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to stop war, warns Trump
17:38
,
Alexander Butler
There will be “severe consequences” if Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire following crunch talks in Alaska, Donald Trump warned.
Mr Trump was "very clear" in a virtual meeting Wednesday with European leaders that the US wants to achieve a ceasefire at the upcoming US-Russia summit in Alaska, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
In the same meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, he told the group that Putin “is bluffing” ahead of the planned meeting with Mr Trump.
Mr Putin, Mr Zelensky said, "is trying to apply pressure ... on all sectors of the Ukrainian front" in an attempt to show that Russia is "capable of occupying all of Ukraine."
Trump praises 'very good call' with European leaders
17:30
,
Alexander Butler
US president Donald Trump said he would rate his call with Sir Keir Starmer and European leaders as a 10.
Asked if it was his decision not to invite Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, Mr Trump said: “No, just the opposite.
“We had a very good call, he was on the call, President Zelensky was on the call. I would rate it a 10, you know, very, very friendly.”
He added: "It was always going to be, I was going to meet with President Putin, and then after that, I'm going to call the leaders and President Zelensky, I'm going to call President Zelensky, and then I'll call, probably, in that order, the leaders.
“There's a very good chance that we're going to have a second meeting which will be more productive than the first, because the first is I'm going to find out where we are and what we're doing."
Mr Trump described the war as "Biden's war", adding: "This war would have never happened if I were president. But it is what it is, and I'm here to fix it."
Watch: Starmer says Ukraine ceasefire viable because of Trump
17:20
,
Alex Croft
Ukraine believes Putin has just ‘one card left to play’ in ceasefire talks – and it gives Kyiv an upper hand
17:03
,
Alex Croft
Vladimir Putin has “only one card” left to play - to prolong the killing in Ukraine, according to a senior source in Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidential office as Europe conducts top level talks ahead of the Alaska summit this week.
Zelensky has not been invited to Friday’s meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. And there are deep concerns that the US president will emerge from the encounter taking an even harder line on Ukraine.
Europe’s leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, have been corralling US officials and White House insiders, and are meeting virtually with the Oval Office to persuade Trump to use the leverage he has over Putin to get him to agree a ceasefire.
“The main thing for Putin is to try to trade land for ceasefires,” the source close to Zelensky told The Independent. “The ability to kill and to prolong war is the only card Putin has. So, he's trying to play this card.”
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
Starmer lays out principles discussed with Trump for Ukraine peace
16:45
,
Alex Croft
Sir Keir Starmer earlier laid out a number of principles which were agreed during talks between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on Wednesday.
He laid them out while speaking to members of the coalition of the willinbg, who he was updating after the call with Mr Trump.
The principles, which related to peace negotiations for Ukraine, were as follows:
- There can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.
- The international borders cannot be and must not be changed by force.
- Any talks about borders, diplomacy, ceasefire, have to sit alongside a robust and credible security guarantee to ensure that any peace is lasting peace and that Ukraine can defend its territorial integrity.
Vance says Trump's mission is to bring peace to Europe again
16:34
,
Alex Croft
Us vice president JD Vance, addressing American soldiers at a military base in England on Wednesday, said president Donald Trump told him a short while ago that his mission was to bring peace to Europe again.
"I just talked to him right before I came on the stage, and he said very simply that we are going to make it our mission as an administration to bring peace to Europe once again," Mr Vance said.
Mr Vance spoke after attending a virtual meeting with Mr Trump, European leaders and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting took place two days before Mr Trump meets Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Military peacekeeping plans ready to be put into action, says Starmer
16:18
,
Alex Croft
We’re getting some quotes in from Sir Keir Starmer, who is speaking with fellow members of the coalition of the willing countries which are engaged in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
He says that active military peacekeeping plans are “now ready in a form that can be used if we get to that ceasefire”.
There is now a “viable” chance of achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine thanks to the work of US president Donald Trump, Sir Keir said.
“Now we get to a really important moment which is why we wanted to get the coalition together.
“This [Trump-Putin] meeting on Friday is hugely important. As I’ve said personally to Mr Trump, we haven’t got anywhere nearer the prospect of a viable solution... and now we do have that chance because of the work the president has put in.”
In pictures: Sir Keir Starmer hosts meeting of Coalition of the Willing
16:11
,
Alex Croft
Starmer: This weeks marks an important moment for Ukraine
16:07
,
Alex Croft
Sir Keir Starmer told US president Donald Trump and European leaders that support for Ukraine was unwavering and that there should be robust security guarantees as part of any peace deal with Russia.
Here is what No 10 said in a readout of the call between Mr Trump and others on Wednesday:
All leaders agreed this week marks an important moment for the future of Ukraine. They thanked President Trump for his efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed.
The Prime Minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering – international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal.
Europe stands ready to support this and will continue to work alongside President Trump and President Zelensky for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
They looked forward to speaking again following the meeting in Alaska on Friday.
The Prime Minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering - international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal.
US and Russia 'propose West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine'
15:59
,
Alex Croft
Russia and the US have discussed the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as a potential model for a future settlement between Moscow and Kyiv, according to a report in The Times.
The model would see Russia take military and economic control of occupied eastern Ukraine, imitating Israel’s rule over Palestinian territory which it seized from Jordan in 1967. Ukraine’s borders would not change, just as the West Bank’s borders have gone unchanged since Israel’s occupation began 58 years ago.
“It’ll just be like Israel occupies the West Bank,” a source close to the US national security council told The Times. “With a governor, with an economic situation that goes into Russia, not Ukraine. But it’ll still be Ukraine, because … Ukraine will never give up its sovereignty. But the reality is it’ll be occupied territory and the model is Palestine.”
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal under international law, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in an advisory opinion last year.
The plan is believed to be supported by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, along with his Russian counterparts. The Americans believe the plan could avoid barriers in the Ukrainian constitution which prevent the country ceding territory without an ‘all-Ukraine’ referendum.
Meeting of 'coalition of the willing' underway
15:51
,
Alex Croft
A meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’, the group of countries willing to be actively involved in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, is currently underway, Sky News reports.
It had earlier been reported that British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer would be discussing the talks with Donald Trump with other members who were not involved in today’s virtual meeting earlier today.
We’ll bring you any key lines from the meeting.
'Ball is in Russia's court', says Rutte
15:48
,
Alex Croft
Following a virtual summit, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that European leaders, US president Donald Trump, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky stand united in their resolve to bring an end to the war against Ukraine.
"The ball is now in Russia’s court," Mr Rutte also said, adding he appreciated President Trump’s "leadership and close coordination with allies" ahead of his meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Von der Leyen says US and Europe have 'strengthened common ground'
15:46
,
Alex Croft
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that Europe, the United States and Nato have strengthened their common ground for Ukraine.
"We have had a very good call," Ms von der Leyen wrote on X after attending a virtual meeting with US president Donald Trump, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky, intended to shape Trump's meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday.
"Today Europe, the US and Nato have strengthened the common ground for Ukraine," Ms von der Leyen said, adding that "we will remain in close coordination. Nobody wants peace more than us, a just and lasting peace."
Key points from today's Europe-US meeting
15:40
,
Alex Croft
Here are the key takeaways following the meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders.
The mood appears positive after what Mr Zelensky described as an “important step forward”.
- Donald Trump said he supports a move towards a ceasefire and agrees that there should be security guarantees for Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said.
- The Ukrainian president told his US counterpart that Vladimir Putin is bluffing about the frontline situation and about the threat of sanctions - which are more damaging than Moscow is letting on.
- Mr Trump told European leaders that territorial issues can only be negotiated with Ukraine, French president Emmanuel Macron said.
- Mr Macron added that the US president said he wants to agree a ceasefire during his meeting with Putin on Friday.
- Mr Zelensky has called for a three-way meeting with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin - and reiterated that Kyiv must be involved in negotiations towards a lasting ceasefire.
Zelensky says US, Europe and Ukraine are united after 'very positive' talks
15:33
,
Alex Croft
Mr Zelensky has continued discussing his talks with Donald Trump, which he described having demonstrated a united front.
“The success of any talks depends on the results and the mood, and the mood now is that we are united, and it was very positive,” Mr Zelensky said.
“All the partners demonstrated one voice, one desire, and one principle. The same principle and the same vision. This is an important step forward.”
Mr Zelensky declined to call this a historic moment, and said instead he wanted to wait for the results of the talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky calls for Trump-Zelensky-Putin meeting
15:30
,
Alex Croft
Mr Zelensky has called for a three-way meeting with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
It follows French president Emmanuel Macron’s statement that Mr Trump said Ukraine must be involved in any territorial negotiations.
The Ukrainian president reiterated that Kyiv must be involved in any negotiations towards a lasting ceasefire.
Zelensky: Trump supports a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine
15:27
,
Alex Croft
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he has discussed security guarantees and a ceasefire with Donald Trump.
“There should be ceasefire, there should be security guarantees, president Trump said he supports this and [talked] about America’s readiness to take part,” Mr Zelensky said in his press conference with Friedrich Merz.
“Russia should not have the right to veto on Ukraine’s Nato prospects and there should be joint pressure on Russia and there should be sanctions.
Mr Zelensky said the pair also discussed the frontline situation, and that he told Mr Trump that Mr Putin was bluffing, trying to push forward along the whole front.
Merz-Zelensky press conference starts
15:19
,
Alex Croft
German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have now begun a press conference after speaking with Donald Trump.
Stay with us for all the key lines.
Macron: Trump said territorial issues can only be negotiated with Ukraine
15:15
,
Alex Croft
French president Emmanuel Macron has given the first snippets about Donald Trump’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders.
The US president said he wants to obtain a ceasefire during his meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday, Mr Macron said.
He also said that territorial issues can only be negotiated with Ukraine.
Would Ukraine ever accept ceding land to Russia?
15:10
,
Alex Croft
Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30 per cent of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected.
Mr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion.
He said diplomatic discussions led by the US focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations.
Three weeks after Trump returned to office, his administration took the leverage of Ukraine's Nato membership off the table — something that Putin has demanded — and signaled that the EU and Ukraine must handle security in Europe now while America focuses its attention elsewhere.
Senior EU officials believe that Trump may be satisfied with simply securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, and is probably more interested in broader US geostrategic interests and great power politics, aiming to ramp up business with Russia and rehabilitate Putin.
