Washington, Aug. 12 -- US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that American tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil had delivered a "big blow" to Moscow, saying, "No one would have been so tough and I haven't stopped there."

Speaking at a White House briefing, Trump added, "[It] doesn't help when the president of the United States tells their largest or second-largest oil buyer that we're putting a 50% tariff on you if you buy oil from Russia."

The comments come just days before Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

He said Russia has been "heavily impacted" by global pressure, including US trade actions on multiple countries.

However, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and Mi...