President Trump downplayed the likelihood of a quick meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders and raised the possibility of new sanctions on Moscow while saying Ukraine shares some blame. He stated a desire to see the war end and warned that economic measures could amount to an "economic war" that would hurt Russia. He suggested using strong tariffs that could be costly to Russia, Ukraine, or others to force peace without providing details. He noted logistical difficulty in getting both Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy together for talks. He emphasized his good relationship with Putin and linked weapons funding and NATO purchases to U.S.-Ukraine ties.
"I want to see that [war] end," Trump told reporters on August 26 at the White House. "It's very, very serious what I have in mind, if I have to do it. But I want to see it end."
"It will not be a world war, but it will be an economic war," Trump said. "An economic war is going to be bad, and it's going to be bad for Russia, and I don't want that."
"I think that in many ways, he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is there. Sometimes he'll be there and [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy won't be there." "You know, it's like, who do we have today? I've got to get them both at the same time.," added Trump following a long, televised Cabinet meeting.
"Zelenskyy is not exactly innocent, either. I get along with him now, but we have a much different relationship because now, we're not paying any money to Ukraine,"
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