Trump Warns Falling Oil Prices Could Cripple Putin’s Ukraine War Effort

President Donald Trump criticized Russia's economy as "stinking" and asserted that a further $10 per barrel drop in oil prices would cripple Vladimir Putin's war machine, potentially forcing an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump emphasized that energy exports are the backbone of Russia's wartime economy and has shortened the timeline for a Ukraine peace deal to less than two weeks, threatening secondary tariffs on countries still trading with Russia to force them to choose sides. Russia, through Dmitry Medvedev and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, dismissed Trump's statements as dangerous provocations and rejected his threats, warning that such ultimatums risk internal conflict within the U.S., and defended India's right to trade with Russia amid Trump's criticism of India for buying discounted Russian oil and reselling it for profit. Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on Indian exports significantly, accusing India of fueling Russia's war efforts, while India continues to deepen its ties with Russia despite Western sanctions. Additionally, Trump ordered the movement of two U.S. nuclear submarines to regions near Russian-controlled waters as part of escalating pressure. The tense exchanges highlight escalating geopolitical and economic pressures tied to the Ukraine conflict and global energy markets.