By Thomas Escritt, Olena Harmash and Tom Balmforth BERLIN/KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine and its European allies on Wednesday signalled hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would push for a ceasefire at talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin without selling out Ukraine's interests or proposing to carve up its territory.

President Trump warned on Wednesday that there would be “severe consequences” for Russia if it did not agree to stop its war in Ukraine after his meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Friday. “There will be consequences.

The president's comment came after attending a virtual meeting with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who told the group that Putin “is bluffing” about seeking peace.