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U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to “collapse the Russian economy” and continue arming Ukraine through NATO allies if his Aug. 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska fails to produce results, Axios reported Tuesday.
Citing U.S. officials, the outlet said tensions in Washington remain high ahead of the summit, which will focus on the Russia-Ukraine war.
One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump “is still angry” with Putin. “For months, the prevailing view has been that we could easily bring down the Russian economy. If he is forced to take sides, he will start collapsing the Russian economy,” the official said.
The official added that while Trump will push for a deal, if diplomacy fails, he will keep selling weapons to NATO countries for delivery to Ukraine.
At a White House press conference, Trump said he hopes the Aug. 15 meeting with Putin will lead to a cease-fire. “I think my meeting with Putin will go well, but it could also go badly,” he said.
Trump expressed confidence that the talks would be “very constructive” and said he would urge the Russian leader to “end the war.”
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