US President Donald Trump on Sunday discussed why Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet agreed to end the Ukraine war. Speaking on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump said he used different strategies to resolve global conflicts, including tariff threats, but admitted those tactics have limited effect on Russia.

Trump, who has been promoting himself as the “president of peace,” said he hopes to add the Ukraine war to his list of eight resolved conflicts. He claimed that his economic pressure tactics, especially tariffs, helped end several wars during his presidency.

Trump’s Tariff Strategy to End Wars

Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly said his tariff threats forced many nations to stop fighting. On 60 Minutes, he revealed that he used tariffs in nearly 60 percent of conflict cases.

“You know how I solved 'em? I said, in many cases, in 60% I said, ‘If you don't stop fighting, I'm putting tariffs on both of your countries and you're not going to be able to do business with the United States,’” Trump said.

He added that his approach worked in several global disputes. However, experts have criticized this method as “bullying tactics,” suggesting it pressures countries economically rather than through diplomacy.

Conflicts Trump Claims to Have Resolved

Trump said he successfully intervened in conflicts between India and Pakistan, Thailand and Cambodia, Israel and Hamas, Rwanda and Congo, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Serbia and Kosovo.

Now, he said, he wants to secure peace between Russia and Ukraine. Trump claimed the war, which began in 2022, would not have happened if he had remained in office after the 2020 election. The conflict, which has devastated Ukraine and caused tens of thousands of deaths, has become Europe’s bloodiest war since World War II.

Why Tariffs Don’t Work on Russia

When asked why his tariff strategy failed with Russia, Trump told CBS that Moscow’s limited trade ties with the US make tariffs ineffective.

“I think I did different with him because we don't do very much business with Russia, for one thing, you know? He's not, like, somebody that buys a lot from us because of— foolishness. And I think he'd like to be. I think he wants to come in and he wants to trade with us, and he wants to make a lotta money for Russia, and I think that's great,” Trump said.

Instead of tariffs, Trump chose to impose sanctions on Russia’s key industries, hoping to pressure Putin economically.

Sanctions on Russia and Its Partners

In October, Trump’s administration announced sanctions on Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, targeting the country’s vital energy sector. Following the sanctions, Trump said he hoped Putin “will become reasonable” and agree to peace talks with Ukraine.

Trump has also expanded penalties to include Russia’s trading partners, especially India and China. He raised tariffs on India by 25 percent, bringing the total to 50 percent, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

According to Trump, both India and China will reduce their Russian oil imports soon. He claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of a cutback in oil trade with Russia—a claim Indian officials have since denied.

Trump’s Focus on the Ukraine Ceasefire

Trump continues to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine, saying his mix of sanctions and diplomatic pressure will eventually convince Putin to negotiate. He maintains that his administration is committed to “restoring peace through strength and strategy.”