Srinagar, Aug. 14 -- Donald Trump has warned of "very severe consequences" if Vladimir Putin refuses to halt the war in Ukraine after their upcoming summit in Alaska. According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump told European leaders in a virtual meeting that securing a ceasefire is his top priority. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also joined the call, insisted Putin is bluffing-both about his ability to occupy all of Ukraine and about being unaffected by sanctions, which he said are damaging Russia's war economy.

Macron stressed that Trump sees territorial matters as Ukraine's decision alone and is exploring a possible future meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelensky, potentially in a neutral European country. ...