US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning ahead of his high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, saying he will leave immediately if talks to end the war in Ukraine go badly.
Speaking to Fox News host Bret Baier aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “We’re going for a meeting with President Putin in Alaska. I think it’s going to work out very well, and if it doesn’t, I’m going to head back home real fast.” When pressed on whether he was serious, Trump doubled down, “I would walk, yeah.”
The two leaders are set to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage — a former Cold War surveillance hub — for a “working breakfast” followed by a joint press conference.
Earlier, Trump told reporters that Russia risks “very severe” sanctions if Putin fails to engage meaningfully in peace talks. He also vowed that the US would halt all business with Russia until the war — now entering its fourth year — is over.
.@POTUS: "We're going for a meeting with President Putin in Alaska, and I think it's going to work out very well — and if it doesn't, I'm going to head back home real fast."@BretBaier: "If it doesn't, you walk?"@POTUS: "I would walk." pic.twitter.com/kJVmRy8sKu
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 15, 2025
US Vice President JD Vance expressed support for Trump’s approach, posting on X: “Grateful for President Trump’s leadership today as he travels to Alaska to meet with President Putin of Russia. Praying for peace in the days ahead.”
The summit comes amid intense global scrutiny, as both leaders face mounting pressure to end a conflict that has left Ukraine fractured and Russia isolated on the world stage.