Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again become the focus of global attention. In a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday, he issued a warning: if Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky cannot meet and stop the war in Ukraine, he will be prepared to launch what he calls an 'economic war'.

Trump emphasized: 'This will not escalate into a world war, but it will be an economic war with serious consequences. It is not good for Russia either, and I certainly do not wish for this to happen.'

Trump's promises and reality

Trump promised during his campaign that if he were to be re-elected, he would push to end the war in Ukraine on the first day. However, reality has not met his expectations; even if he regains power, his efforts have not yet achieved substantial breakthroughs.

He believes that his meeting with Putin in Anchorage on August 15 could have paved the way for direct talks between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. That meeting was the first direct communication between the two since the war broke out more than three years ago. The White House initially believed that Putin had agreed to meet with Zelensky, and officials even stated that the summit plan had been initiated. However, more than a week has passed, and the date of the meeting is still not confirmed.

The Kremlin has never publicly accepted this arrangement nor announced a summit. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out in an NBC interview that Putin would only meet with Zelensky after the final agenda is set, 'this agenda is not ready at all.'

In response to this attitude, Trump candidly stated at the White House briefing: 'Everyone is just posturing; both sides are hesitating and not making real progress.'

Trump's actions to promote the summit

On August 18, Trump met with Zelensky and a group of European leaders at the White House. Afterward, he had follow-up calls with Putin, proposing to hold a formal peace summit.

Previously, Trump's meeting with Zelensky and European leaders focused on:

  • Establish long-term security guarantees to ensure that Russia will not launch aggression again in the future;

  • Promote direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine to create opportunities for peace negotiations.

Zelensky's side stated on August 23 that the security measures are close to being finalized and are expected to announce all terms in the coming days with the support of the United States and Europe.

Not just Russia, Trump is targeting the 'economic war'

Trump's warnings are not only directed at Russia; he has begun taking economic punitive measures. For example:

  • Raise tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, preventing India from continuing to purchase Russian crude oil;

  • Pressure other countries that still purchase crude oil from Russia, pointing out that they are indirectly funding the war.

It is worth noting that he has not yet taken further action against China or other countries, but these warnings still exist, showing Trump's hardline attitude.

Latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war

Although Trump has maintained communication with Moscow, after talking with Putin, Russia quickly resumed its attacks on Ukraine, which left him feeling frustrated.

He pointed out in the meeting that Zelensky is not completely innocent, reminding reporters that he had previously criticized the Ukrainian president for not expressing enough gratitude for the support provided by the United States. He emphasized again that Zelensky is part of the problem in the current situation, not just a victim of Russian aggression.

Why does Trump choose 'economic war'?

Strategically, Trump believes that economic measures are more direct and controllable than military actions:

  • Influencing Russia and its supporting countries through tariffs, sanctions, and financial pressure;

  • Avoid the risk of escalating to a global conflict;

  • Simultaneously push for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

In short, Trump hopes to use economic leverage to force both sides of the conflict to sit at the negotiating table, rather than solving the problem through force.

When will the summit between Putin and Zelensky take place?

There is still uncertainty regarding whether the summit can be held as scheduled:

  • The White House initially planned for the summit, but the Kremlin has not publicly responded;

  • Both sides are waiting for a 'suitable agenda', rather than just meeting for form's sake;

  • Trump hopes to create opportunities for direct dialogue between both parties through his mediating role.

It is foreseeable that in the coming weeks, whether the summit can be realized will directly affect global situations and fluctuations in energy and financial markets.

Conclusion

Trump has once again issued a warning of an economic war, showing that he is still trying to push for peace negotiations through non-military means. His actions target not only Russia but also other countries that continue to purchase Russian crude oil.

Regardless of when the summit is held, economic war strategies and tariff policies may become the focus of global investors. In the coming days, as events develop, the market may face new fluctuations, and whether Trump can fulfill his peace promises will also become the focus of global public opinion and investors.

For the average reader, this means: paying attention to international situations, energy markets, and related economic policies will directly affect the global financial and investment environment.