Trump: "Very severe" consequences for Putin if he refuses ceasefire

In a call on Wednesday morning, Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on Wednesday that his goals for Friday's summit were to get a ceasefire and to better understand whether a full peace deal is possible, two sources familiar with the call told Axios.

• French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who were also on the call, both confirmed afterward that Trump said he wants to try to obtain a ceasefire.
• Trump made clear in his remarks to the press later on Wednesday that he views success as far from guaranteed. Asked if he believed he could convince Putin to stop targeting civilians in Ukraine, Trump replied: "I guess the answer to that is no, because I've had this conversation [with Putin]."

Driving the news: Wednesday's call, which lasted more than an hour, was perhaps the last chance for Zelensky and key European leaders to shape Trump's thinking heading into the meeting.

• Zelensky told Trump on the call that "Putin cannot be trusted," a source with knowledge said.
• The source said Trump told the leaders that he's not from the region and can't make any final decisions on territory, but he thinks land swaps will be needed as part of a peace deal. "Trump said it's Vladimir and Volodymyr who have to discuss territories with each other, not him."

Behind the scenes: A source who was on the call said Macron took "very tough" positions and told Trump "a meeting is a very big thing to give to Putin." The source added, "Trump didn't like that."

• The source said Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were both "very active" on the call, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "raised some good points."
• Polish President Karol Nawrocki "reminded Trump of the Battle of Warsaw, exactly 105 years ago, when Poland fought together with Ukrainians against the Bolsheviks in Russia," the source said.

The latest: Zelensky appeared alongside Merz in Berlin immediately after the call with Trump.

• Both stressed that Ukrainian and European interests must be upheld during the summit — a signal of their concern about what Trump and Putin might agree to.
• Zelensky called for more "pressure" on Russia and argued that Putin was only bluffing when he acted as though sanctions would have no effect.
• Merz said Trump "largely agreed" during the call that Russia can't be granted legal recognition of the territories it has occupied during the war.

Between the lines: Trump has suggested freezing most battle lines in place, with additional "land swaps." But those could potentially be de facto borders without international recognition.

The mood: Trump has a one-day-at-a-time view of the process, focusing on forward progress in the short term to nudge Ukraine and Russia closer to a deal, his advisers say.

• "Yes, the president hasn't been happy about Putin as of late. But that's gone. He's optimistic," an administration official told Axios.
• "We're optimistic. But we're not crazy. This is hard," the official added.
• A second official said the optimism was tied to a belief that both sides are tired of the conflict and the U.S. has enough credibility with both sides to make it happen. "Everyone is exhausted, so this is where the art of the possible — the Art of the Deal — becomes possible."

The other side: European officials tend to be much less convinced that Putin is truly looking for peace.

What to watch: Zelensky said during Wednesday's press conference that no diplomatic solution can be achieved without Ukraine and stressed there should be a trilateral summit involving him, Trump and Putin.

• Trump has endorsed that idea, but Putin hasn't. Trump said Wednesday that he'd like to hold a trilateral meeting soon after the Putin summit, but it would depend on how the first meeting goes. "There may be no second meeting."

This breaking news story has been updated throughout.