Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak pushes back against US President Donald Trump, warning that the Russian economy is near collapse, Reuters reported.
On Tuesday, Trump voiced his disappointment with President Vladimir Putin, stating that he was unwilling to end the confrontation in Ukraine.
“And you know they have long lines waiting for gasoline in Russia right now … And all of a sudden his economy is going to collapse,”
Trump warned.
What did Alexander Novak say about fuel supplies?
Novak stated that there was a regular domestic market supply of gasoline in Russia. “We have a stable domestic market supply; we see no problems in this regard,”
Novak said.
“The balance is maintained between production and consumption, and we, on the part of the government and the relevant ministries, are doing everything to ensure that this remains the case.”
Over the last few months, Trump’s stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted to pronounced disappointment and frustration, primarily over Putin’s persistence in continuing the war in Ukraine.
How has Trump’s tone toward Putin shifted recently?
Trump said Tuesday that
“I’m very disappointed, because Vladimir and I had a very good relationship. Probably still do. I don’t know why he continues with this war. This war has been so bad for him,”
Trump briefed journalists.
“I’d like to see him do well. I mean, I had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin, but he just doesn’t want to end that war. And I think it’s making him look very bad. He could end it quickly,”
he also said.
Trump insisted that Putin “really settle” the conflict.
“And you know they have long lines waiting for gasoline in Russia right now … And all of a sudden his economy is going to collapse,”
he warned.
Moreover, Trump said his Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Washington on Friday.
“I know what he has to say. He wants weapons. He would like to have Tomahawks,”
he also said.
Could Tomahawk missile deliveries escalate the Ukraine conflict?
The US president stated on Sunday that he would dispatch Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if the conflict with Russia continues or escalates. Russia previously cautioned that the potential shipment of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv might “end badly.”
Tomahawk missiles are long-range, precision-guided cruise missiles. Russian officials have consistently warned that transferring these systems could escalate conflicts, whereas Western officials argue that these arms shipments aim to assist Ukraine in defending its territory.
