'Big blow to Moscow': Trump's scathing attack on Russia for oil exports to India ahead of Alaska meet
PTC News Desk: Ahead of the meeting in Alaska, US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Russian President Putin saying US tariffs on India for buying Russian oil have delivered a "big blow" to Moscow’s economy, calling New Delhi one of Russia’s "largest or second-largest oil buyers."
While addressing a press conference at White House, Trump said Russia’s economy was "not doing well" and had been "very well disturbed" by the combined effect of American trade duties and global pressures.
"I think Russia has to get back into building their country. It's a massive country...They have tremendous potential in Russia to do well. They’re not doing well right now because it’s been very well disturbed by this," Trump said.
The US President took a jibe at India over continuing oil purchase from Russia.
"Doesn't help when the President of the United States tells their largest or second-largest oil buyer that we're putting a 50% tariff on you if you buy oil from Russia. That was a big blow," Trump said, in an apparent reference to India.
Trump administration has imposed 25% reciprocal tariffs on India, plus an additional 25% levy on its purchases of Russian oil -- a total 50% tariff. India strongly condemned the tariff hike, calling it "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable."
The remarks come ahead of Russian President's visit to US to attend the summit in Alaska on Friday. "I thought it was very respectful that the President of Russia is coming to our country, as opposed to us going to his country or even a third-party place. But I think we’ll have constructive conversations," he said.
#WATCH | Washington, DC | On Russia-Ukraine war and meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump says, "This could have been a third world war... I thought it was very respectful that the president of Russia is coming to our country, as opposed to us… pic.twitter.com/rrOyuRkFTG — ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025
Meanwhile, Trump also reiterated his claim of ceasing five conflicts in second term including India and Pakistan war. In contradiction to Trump's claims, India has repeatedly said the ceasefire understanding between both the nations was entiredly bilateral. New Delhi further clarified that both the nations reached an understanding after Pakistan's DGMO approached its Indian counterpart
- With inputs from agencies
