Overview

• Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News that Putin came to Alaska because President Trump threatened a 50% duty on India over its purchases of Russian oil and gas.
• The administration has doubled duties on Indian imports to 50% effective August 27, citing New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude.
• India rejected the move as unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable, while denying any halt in its Russian oil buying.
• Trump and Vladimir Putin called their Alaska talks productive with no agreement finalized, and Trump floated possible trilateral talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy if negotiations progress.
• Graham urged penalties on buyers of Russian energy to “crush” Russia’s economy, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that secondary tariffs could rise if talks stall.