At a press conference at the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump warned that Russia will face consequences if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to halt the war in Ukraine following their upcoming meeting on Friday.

When asked directly whether Russia would face repercussions in such a scenario, Trump’s response was unequivocal: “Yes, they will.” He pointed to sanctions and tariffs as potential measures, signaling his intent to leverage economic pressure to influence Moscow’s actions.

The remarks align with Trump’s established strategy of using economic tools — including targeted sanctions and trade measures — as a means of shaping geopolitical outcomes. This approach has been a recurring element of his foreign policy, including past dealings with Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.