U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that Russia will face “very severe consequences” if President Vladimir Putin refuses to agree to a cease-fire in Ukraine after their summit set for Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Trump declined to specify whether the measures would involve additional sanctions, tariffs or other actions, saying only that Moscow would “feel” the response. The threat comes as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year and amid mounting pressure on the White House to toughen its stance on the Kremlin. Trump has previously floated fresh sanctions on Russia and secondary penalties on countries buying Russian energy, and last week imposed higher levies on Indian purchases while holding off on similar action against China. Earlier in the day, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance held a virtual call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. European leaders said the U.S. president pledged to prioritise an immediate cease-fire when he meets Putin and signalled he hopes to convene a rapid follow-up meeting that would include Zelenskyy if Friday’s talks show progress.