The much-anticipated Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin meeting in Alaska has triggered fresh debates on global trade and geopolitics, with India-Russia relations at the center of attention. Despite expectations, the two leaders failed to reach a consensus on a Ukraine ceasefire, and the talks ended within just two and a half hours instead of the planned seven.
In this tense backdrop, Trump made a striking claim: India, one of Russia’s biggest oil buyers, has stopped importing crude from Moscow. “Russia has lost its most trusted customer. India once bought nearly 40% of its crude from them, but not anymore,” Trump told reporters after the meeting. He also warned that if needed, he would impose further sanctions and higher tariffs, which could trigger a global energy shock.
Donald Trump-Putin Meet: India Stops Buying Russian Oil? Trump’s Big Claim and Warning
For months, Washington has criticized New Delhi for purchasing discounted Russian oil since 2022, arguing that such deals indirectly fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. In response, the U.S. has already imposed two rounds of tariffs totaling 50% on Indian imports. But Trump’s latest statement suggests that India may have scaled down or even halted its oil trade with Russia.
Meanwhile, a new bill in the U.S. Congress could allow Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on any country seen as supporting Russia. Experts warn that if passed, this could have serious consequences for India’s economy—hurting its low-cost energy imports and reducing access to the American market for Indian goods.
On the other hand, Putin held firm in his stance, rejecting external interference in the Ukraine conflict. While Trump avoided directly criticizing the Russian President, he shifted the responsibility to Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying the decision on peace lies with Kyiv.
The stakes remain high. If India has indeed halted Russian oil imports, it could mark a significant shift in global energy markets and deal a severe blow to Moscow’s economy, already strained by sanctions. At the same time, India faces the risk of economic turbulence if fresh U.S. tariffs are enforced.
With the world watching closely, the outcome of the Trump-Putin dynamics may shape not only the future of the Ukraine war but also India’s trade and energy security in the coming months.
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