At his White House cabinet meeting on August 26, President Donald Trump insisted he would impose severe economic sanctions and tariffs—not military action—if Vladimir Putin did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, reaffirming his determination to end the war without risking escalation to world war. Trump emphasized both sides, Putin and Zelensky, must come together and that the U.S. has halted direct aid to Kyiv, shifting support through NATO equipment sales. Trump said thousands of lives could be saved by these measures and dismissed Russian claims that Zelensky is illegitimate, calling such rhetoric “posturing” and expressing optimism for quick resolutions in both Ukraine and Gaza.