In a dramatic push for peace, President Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the negotiating table. After historic meetings in Alaska, Washington, and late-night calls with Putin, Trump insists that delaying talks could cost thousands of lives each week. Switzerland has stepped in, offering Putin immunity from war crimes prosecution if talks are hosted there. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reveals Trump’s detailed strategy, from security guarantees without U.S. boots on the ground to leveraging tariffs on China and India, while also addressing America’s industrial revival, rare-earth dependency, and economic outlook.
Trump the only person ‘IN THE WORLD’ who can…
In what is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal diplomatic efforts in years, President Donald Trump is intensifying his push to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the negotiating table. After hosting a historic gathering of Western leaders at the White House on Monday, Trump declared that delaying talks would mean needless loss of life, warning that “next week you will have 7,000 more dead people.”
Trump framed his effort not only as a matter of statecraft but also as a moral duty, saying that if he could save lives, it might even help him “get to heaven,” despite jokingly suggesting that he is “really at the bottom of the totem pole” in terms of spiritual ranking. His push comes at a critical juncture as Switzerland has reportedly offered Putin immunity from war crimes prosecution if peace talks are held there.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was present at Monday’s meetings and has emerged as one of Trump’s key policy voices, expressed optimism that a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy could take place soon. He noted that Trump had already met Putin in Alaska last Friday and followed it up with sessions with Zelenskyy and European leaders before returning to the Oval Office for another late-night call with the Russian leader. According to Bessent, Putin himself insisted on taking the call immediately, signaling eagerness to engage.
While the media has portrayed Trump as being susceptible to flattery from European leaders and Zelenskyy, Bessent dismissed this characterization outright. He argued that Trump came prepared with a concrete strategy that began during his Alaska meeting with Putin, centered around security guarantees and a so-called “coalition of the willing.” The plan rules out U.S. boots on the ground but leaves room for air and satellite support, as well as coordination with European allies.
Bessent emphasized that Trump has a proven track record in striking peace deals, referencing six past agreements, and insisted that leaders’ respect for Trump was not flattery but recognition that he may be the only global figure capable of halting the ongoing conflict.
A sticking point in the negotiations, however, remains the question of territory. Any discussion of land swaps or adjustments is politically sensitive, and both security guarantees and the financial cost of U.S. involvement remain under scrutiny. Critics argue that once again American taxpayers could shoulder the burden, especially if U.S. air cover is required.
Bessent countered these concerns by pointing out that Trump has structured the effort with economic payback in mind. He highlighted the administration’s current practice of selling arms to Europeans, who then resell them to Ukraine, with the U.S. taking a 10% markup. He suggested that this revenue could help offset the costs of military support. Furthermore, he tied peace efforts to broader economic opportunities, arguing that “if Ukraine does well, we do well.”
Beyond Ukraine, the discussion also turned to Russia’s reliance on external partners. Bessent acknowledged that Russia’s economy could not sustain the war without China and India. While China has historically been a buyer of Russian oil, India’s role has expanded significantly. Once dependent on Russia for just 1% of its oil in 2022, India now sources about 37%. Much of this oil is refined into petrochemicals and resold, benefiting some of India’s wealthiest families.
The U.S. has already imposed secondary tariffs on India, pressuring its economy, while tariffs on China remain at elevated levels. Bessent noted that China now accounts for the largest share of U.S. tariff revenue, with duties totaling around 50-55% across various categories, including a special 20% fentanyl tariff. According to him, the current tariff regime is working well, and while negotiations with China will likely resume before November, the administration sees no urgent need for major changes.
The conversation also touched on TikTok, a long-running point of tension in U.S.-China relations. While Trump personally enjoys the platform, national security concerns remain. Bessent clarified that he is not directly involved in TikTok negotiations, though he leads broader China trade discussions.
Another area of concern is America’s dependency on critical imports such as rare earth minerals, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Bessent argued that one of the administration’s top priorities is to “de-risk” the U.S. economy by reshoring manufacturing in these sectors. He pointed to Trump’s industrial policy drive to bring semiconductor, steel, and pharmaceutical production back to U.S. soil, declaring that failure to achieve this by 2029 would be unacceptable.
COVID-19, in his view, served as a “beta test” that exposed the fragility of global supply chains. Roughly 80-90% of precursor chemicals for basic medicines, including antibiotics, come from abroad, underscoring America’s vulnerability.
On the economic outlook, Bessent predicted a strong recovery beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025, thanks to the effects of tax cuts and the administration’s industrial initiatives, notably the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” He acknowledged that a short-term slowdown was possible due to reduced government spending after the Biden years, but remained bullish about 2026, predicting it could be “gangbusters.”
Still, he flagged distributional challenges in the economy. Capital expenditure, artificial intelligence, and housing are performing well, but the bottom 50% of wage earners remain under strain, especially with high interest rates. Bessent argued that by revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, Trump’s policies will not only provide economic security but also deliver higher wages through quality industrial jobs.
As for the much-anticipated trilateral talks involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, speculation has emerged that Budapest may host the meeting. Bessent, however, cautioned that the focus must first remain on finalizing a bilateral summit between Putin and Zelenskyy.
For now, the world watches closely. Trump’s determination to broker peace, Switzerland’s immunity offer to Putin, and the complex web of security, economic, and geopolitical factors make the coming weeks critical. Whether the effort succeeds or stalls will depend not only on the will of the leaders involved but also on how effectively Trump can turn his plan into a tangible pathway to peace.