Trump calls US tariffs on India’s Russian oil imports a major setback for Moscow ahead of Alaska talks

Ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week, US President Donald Trump on Monday said that US tariffs on India’s imports of Russian oil have dealt a “big blow” to Moscow’s economy.

He identified India as one of Russia’s largest or second-largest buyers of oil and highlighted how US trade duties combined with global pressures have “very well disturbed” Russia’s economic stability. Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump said Russia’s economy “is not doing well” and that the country “has tremendous potential” but is currently struggling due to these external pressures.

Trump specifically pointed to the impact of tariffs on India’s oil imports, stating, “It 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.” The Trump administration has imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on India, plus an additional 25% levy on its purchases of Russian oil, making a total 50% tariff. India has strongly condemned the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”

Confirming his upcoming meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday, Trump said he found it “very respectful” that the Russian president would come to the US rather than the other way around. He expressed hope for “constructive conversations” and mentioned plans to engage European leaders and facilitate talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump also claimed that he has resolved five wars during his second term and reiterated his assertion that he helped stop the conflict between India and Pakistan. However, India has clarified that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks between military officials of both nations.