US President Donald Trump warned of severe repercussions if Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fail to engage in talks to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump emphasized that the war, now a major global concern, would not have occurred under his presidency, and he is prepared to take decisive action if the two leaders do not meet within the next two weeks.

Trump’s remarks come amid escalating tensions, with recent Russian missile attacks reportedly striking a US factory in Ukraine. When questioned about the incident, Trump expressed frustration, stating, “I’m not happy about it, and I’m not happy about anything about that war.” He claimed to have resolved “seven wars” and referred to “three pre-wars,” asserting his experience in handling global conflicts. “Over the next two weeks, we are going to find out which way it’s going to go,” he added, hinting at significant policy moves.

Last week, Trump teased a “very important decision” regarding the conflict, suggesting potential actions like imposing “massive sanctions or tariffs” on Russia or distancing the US from the war by declaring it Ukraine’s fight. He reiterated his call for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, stating, “It takes two to tango. I wanted to have a meeting with those two. We’ll see if they don’t have a meeting, then why it was so, after I told them to have a meeting.”

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When pressed on the consequences of the leaders failing to meet, Trump was unequivocal: “There will be great consequences… This war would have never taken place if I were President.” He underscored the urgency, noting that his decision would depend on developments in the coming weeks. “In two weeks, we are going to know which way I am going because I’m going to go one way or another,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated Moscow’s openness to dialogue. In an interview with RT on Thursday, Lavrov stated that President Putin is willing to meet Zelenskyy, provided all critical issues are thoroughly prepared by experts and ministers beforehand. “The Russian president repeatedly said that he is ready to meet, including with Zelensky, if there is an understanding that all issues that require consideration at the highest level have been worked out,” Lavrov explained.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has caused widespread devastation and drawn international attention, remains a contentious issue. Trump’s insistence on a meeting between the two leaders signals his intent to influence the course of the war, either through diplomatic pressure or economic measures. As the deadline approaches, the world watches to see whether Putin and Zelenskyy will heed Trump’s call for talks—or face the “great consequences” he has promised.

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