Trump says 'economic war' on Russia possible unless Ukrainian conflict ends

WASHINGTON. Aug 27 (Interfax) - The United States may wage "an economic war" on Moscow unless the Ukrainian conflict is resolved, U.S. President Donald Trump said, adding he would not want to do that.

"It will not be a world war, but it will be an economic war," Trump told the press in response to a question what he might do to Moscow if the attempts to end the Ukraine conflict fail.

"An economic war is going to be bad, and it's going to be bad for Russia, and I don't want that," he said.

Trump said he might impose economic sanctions on Russia if the Ukraine peace talks fail. "It's very serious, what I have in mind," he said.

"Zelenskiy is not exactly innocent, either," Trump added. It all depends on both sides, he said.

Trump said he might impose serious tariffs on both Russia and Ukraine to push them into ending the Ukraine crisis.

"If I can do that [...] by using a very strong tariff system that's very costly to Russia or Ukraine or whoever," Trump said, speaking of his levers.

Trump said that both Moscow and Kiev must take efforts to end the conflict.

Trump said he believed he could solve the Ukraine problem eventually. "I think I'll get it done," he said.