Former U.S. President Donald Trump launched another verbal attack on Russia during a live interview on CNBC, claiming the country’s economy is in disarray and that lowering oil prices by $10 per barrel could bring an end to the war in Ukraine. “Putin will stop killing people if energy prices drop another $10. He’ll have no choice because his economy is terrible,” Trump said. He stressed that oil revenues are the backbone of Russia’s war machine, and cutting those off would bring it to a halt.

🔹 Putin Silent, Medvedev Responds Loudly

Trump's remarks are part of an ongoing feud with Vladimir Putin — a feud that's notably one-sided. For over a month, the Russian president has refused to even acknowledge Trump’s existence. Instead, Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s closest ally and former president, has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to respond. He called Trump’s demands dangerous and accused him of pushing the U.S. closer to internal conflict, adding that Putin doesn’t consider Trump an equal and will never take the bait.

🔹 Tightened Peace Deadline, Tariff Threats, and Submarines

Tensions between Washington and Moscow escalated as Trump shortened the deadline for a Ukraine peace deal. On Monday, he cut the original 50-day window to less than two weeks. If Putin doesn’t agree to end the war, Trump said he’ll impose severe secondary tariffs on countries still trading with Russia. It’s his way of forcing nations to pick a side.

Medvedev quickly fired back: “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war,” he wrote on X. “Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.” Trump followed up on Friday by announcing that two American nuclear submarines had been deployed to “relevant areas,” clearly referring to waters near Russian-controlled zones.

🔹 India in the Crosshairs: "Not a Good Trade Partner"

Trump also targeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for buying discounted Russian oil and selling it at a profit. “India has not been a good trade partner,” he said on CNBC. “We agreed on 25% tariffs, but I’m likely going to increase that significantly within 24 hours because they’re fueling the war machine. If they continue, I won’t be happy.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded by saying that Trump’s tariff threats are simply an attempt to pressure countries into ending trade with Russia. He defended India’s right to choose its own trade partners as a sovereign nation.

🔹 Russia Under Pressure, But Not Broken

Oil prices are indeed falling, spelling trouble for Putin. Brent crude dropped 83 cents to $67.92 per barrel, and WTI fell to $65.41. This came after OPEC and its partners announced production increases, raising concerns about weakening demand.

Russia’s Finance Ministry is already bracing for reduced revenues, expecting oil and gas income to drop 24% compared to earlier estimates. It revised its oil price forecast from $69.70 down to $56 per barrel and increased next year’s budget deficit target from 0.5% to 1.7% of GDP.

The Ministry of Economic Development forecasts slower growth — just 2.5% in 2025, down from 4.3% in 2024. Inflation officially stands at around 10%, but independent analysts believe it could be over 15%. Food and production costs have soared. Even Putin has admitted the situation is “alarming.”

🔹 Trade with China and India Continues, Putin Unfazed

In July, the IMF added more bad news, cutting Russia’s 2025 GDP growth forecast from 1.5% to 0.9% due to weak retail and reduced industrial output.

Despite this, Russia’s economy hasn’t collapsed. Sanctions have slowed it, but haven’t stopped it. Domestic pressures are growing. Oil revenues are falling. Growth is stalling. But the Kremlin shows no signs of panic.

Trade with countries like China and India continues. Putin hasn’t blinked. And Trump is still waiting for a response — one that may never come.

#TRUMP , #putin , #Geopolitics , #DonaldTrump , #economy

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!

Notice:

,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“