Putin has 'renewed swagger' after Trump hands him a big win: WSJ

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Putin had nearly bankrupted Russia. Now trump is allowing Putin to sell oil to India. Putin is being given a lifeline by trump's attack on Iran and the disruption of the energy markets

Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin's declining fortunes have taken a major turn for the better because Donald Trump's war on Iran has given the staggering Russian economy a shot in the arm as oil prices lurch upward.

— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-03-08T01:00:11Z

https://www.rawstory.com/putin-oil-iran/

Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin’s declining fortunes have taken a major turn for the better because Donald Trump’s war on Iran has given the staggering Russian economy a shot in the arm as oil prices lurch upward.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Russian crude that was languishing unsold just days ago has become a hot commodity. The U.S. has eased sanctions on Russian oil, opening the door for key buyers to increase purchases. With oil and natural gas prices surging, Russian producers are reaping substantial profits.

The shift is already visible in global markets. In India, traders who previously demanded steep discounts to purchase Russian oil are now attempting to sell at prices above global benchmarks—a dramatic reversal.

"The longer that this conflict goes on, the world will increasingly rely on both Russian crude oil and Russian refined products," said Naveen Das, senior crude analyst at Kpler.....

Global benchmark Brent crude has surged nearly 30 percent since the attacks began. While higher prices normally benefit all oil producers, disruption in the Gulf has crippled Russia's primary competitors in that region, leaving Moscow uniquely positioned to capitalize on the crisis.

[moondust]

1. Pooty's plan?

What other options did he have to save his "declining fortunes" and costly war effort besides pulling his puppet's strings to boost oil prices?

[Norrrm]

2. The best investment Putin ever made was putting money into Trump.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. MaddowBlog-Team Trump says (and does) all the wrong things as Russia helps Iran during the U.S. war

As Russia provides intelligence that could put Americans at risk, the White House responds by easing Russian oil sanctions.

Problem: Team Trump shrugging with indifference as Russia provides Iran with intelligence that could put Americans at risk.

Bigger problem: Team Trump providing Russia with sanctions relief as it provides Iran with intelligence that could put Americans at risk.

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-03-09T19:13:44.138Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/team-trump-says-and-does-all-the-wrong-things-as-russia-helps-iran-during-the-u-s-war

MS NOW reported over the weekend that Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Iranian forces strike American ships, aircraft and bases in the region, according two U.S. officials, one whom said point-blank, “Russia is providing intelligence help to Iran.”

The Associated Press and The Washington Post had related reports, with the latter noting, “The assistance … signals that the rapidly expanding conflict now features one of America’s chief nuclear-armed competitors with exquisite intelligence capabilities.” On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” host Kristen Welker pressed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on this, and he made no effort to deny the accuracy of the reporting, emphasizing that Iran’s “strategic partnership” with Russia is “not a secret.”.....

If we were to stop here, it would be a striking story about a Republican administration that has expressed little more than indifference to serious allegations. But as it turns out, Team Trump isn’t just shrugging its shoulders about Russia’s aid to Iran during the war, it’s also taking steps that would benefit Russia as it aids Iran during the war. Reuters reported:

Trump administration ​officials on Sunday defended a decision to temporarily lift some sanctions on Russian oil and predicted that a sharp increase in ‌gasoline prices resulting from the Iran war would last only weeks.

Appearing on multiple TV talk shows, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said a waiver issued last week to allow Indian purchases of Russian oil would alleviate pressure on the global market.

(It’s worth noting for context that Trump has publicly boasted about getting India to stop buying Russian oil, including at a White House press conference in late February. So much for that idea.)....

Around the same time, on “Meet the Press,” Welker asked the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations about why the Republican administration would choose to help Russia right now.

“I wouldn’t characterize it that way,” Waltz replied.

WELKER: Why is Trump helping Russia in this moment?

WALTZ:I wouldn't characterize it that way

WELKER: How else would you describe easing oil sanctions?

WALTZ: It's common sense to allow oil sitting on ships to go to India

WELKER: Russia will be getting that money as it wages its war in Ukraine

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-03-08T14:17:27.030Z

.....This hasn’t gone unnoticed on Capitol Hill.

“Russia is our adversary,” Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska told MS NOW last week. “They hate us and what the U.S. stands for. The White House has had a moral blindness when it comes to Putin and Russia.”

Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, a former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, added, “This is an intolerable escalation by the Kremlin — one they must come to deeply regret. I call on the administration to impose swift and severe consequences for this blatant attempt to endanger American lives.”

The White House appears to have come to the opposite conclusion.

[Mysterian]

4. Traitor trump aiding America's enemy

When is the impeachment?

Oh, I forgot. The entire republican party are traitors.

[Kid Berwyn]

5. Project Management

The Brave New World Order Thing

[rictofen]

6. An oil revenue boost of unknown magnitude and duration...

In exchange for catastrophic damage to the ally that has sent Putin billions of dollars of materiel used against Ukraine.