Putin Criticizes US "Aggression" in Middle East and Highlights Global Economic Shifts

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused the United States of acting "aggressively" in the Middle East, attributing disruptions in global logistics and trade to geopolitical tensions, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency

Speaking at an investment forum organized by VTB, Russia's second-largest bank, Putin emphasized the inevitability of developing new logistics routes to support economic growth. He cited a decline in cargo traffic through the Suez Canal, which he called “regrettable,” linking it to geopolitical risks.

“This is, of course, primarily due to geopolitical risks, due to the fact that the US is actively and quite aggressively acting in the Middle East,” Putin stated. He added that these actions provoke responses from “resistance forces,” further destabilizing the region.

The Russian leader noted that such instability has forced many shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa, adversely affecting global logistics and trade.

Putin also addressed recent remarks by former US President Donald Trump, who proposed imposing a 100% tariff on BRICS nations if they sought alternatives to the US dollar in international trade. He argued that the global and American economies have undergone significant shifts in recent years, criticizing current US policies for undermining the dollar's role as a global reserve currency.

“Their actions have turned the dollar into a weapon against those they consider ‘enemies,’ eroding its foundational role in the global financial system,” Putin said.

The comments come amid growing global economic uncertainty and mounting tensions between major powers over trade and geopolitical influence.