Putin risks seriously damaging relations with Trump, - The Independent

During his Friday visit to Delhi, Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is ready to provide India with stable fuel supplies, remarks that could heighten tensions with the administration of Donald Trump.

His comments came after the signing of several cooperation agreements with Narendra Modi.

In a joint statement, both sides emphasised that bilateral ties remain resilient to external pressure and that India continues its course of engagement with Russia despite stronger demands from the US to limit imports.

Context of US pressure

Washington is attempting to reduce New Delhi’s dependence on Russian energy resources by applying economic measures.

The US has introduced a 25% tariff on Indian imports of Russian oil, arguing that this step is necessary to increase pressure on Moscow to end its war against Ukraine.

However, India’s leadership has so far shown no intention of scaling back cooperation with Russia.

Ongoing talks between Moscow and Washington

Against this backdrop, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that peace-related contacts between Russia and the US continue, and that both sides note certain progress.

According to him, Moscow remains ready to maintain dialogue with the current US team despite escalating friction in the energy sector.

The Kremlin believes Jared Kushner’s involvement in forming possible arrangements on Ukraine could play a significant role for Moscow. Ushakov has said that Donald Trump’s son-in-law could influence the shaping of a future peace deal.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has once again attempted to shift responsibility for the full-scale invasion, claiming that Moscow is "ready to stop the war", supposedly "started by the West through Ukraine" - a narrative the Kremlin routinely uses to justify its aggression.