Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised US efforts to pressure India and China into cutting energy ties with Moscow, warning such moves could harm the global economy and backfire on Washington, Reuters reported.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Group in Sochi, Putin stated that if higher tariffs were imposed on Russia’s trade partners, it would lead to increased global energy prices and compel the US Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates, potentially slowing the US economy.
“India will never allow itself to be humiliated," Putin said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would never take such a step.
He also highlighted the financial impact, saying, “If India stopped buying Russian energy, it would face losses estimated between $9 billion and $10 billion. If not, high duties will be imposed on them. And once again, damage will be there. Well, the same amount of damage. And why then? Why then decline to buy Russian energy to actually sustain political risks?"
Putin also accused Washington of hypocrisy, noting that while the US pressures countries like India over Russian energy imports, it continues to rely on Moscow for uranium supply.
“The United States is one of the largest, if not the largest, states using nuclear power plants. Since nuclear energy is well developed in the US, it requires a large amount of fuel. We are not the largest supplier, but Russia is the second-largest supplier of uranium to the American market,” he said.
He further stressed the need to resolve trade payment issues between Russia and India, suggesting solutions could be pursued within BRICS or through other mechanisms. “We must find a solution,” he said, underlining the potential benefits of ironing out payment disputes to strengthen economic cooperation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hit back at US President Donald Trump’s “paper tiger” remarks, questioning NATO’s strength and warning that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could spark a dangerous escalation.
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