US President Donald Trump again used India to justify himself when confronted about the lack of punitive actions against his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

On Wednesday (US time), a Polish reporter bluntly questioned the 79-year-old, “You’ve expressed many times your frustration and disappointment with Putin, but there’s no action since you took your office.”

Trump instantly fired back at the reporter, in turn, attacking the credibility of the reporter’s statement. “How do you know there’s no action? — I think you oughta get yourself a new job,” he said. The MAGA leader questioned the man’s affiliation: “Who are you with,” to which he responded, “Polish media.”

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The situation devolved into a chaotic crossfire while the American president was hosting Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the White House.

Secondary sanctions on India mentioned again, ‘Phase 2-3’ threat

The Republican president eventually fell back on his long-reiterated statement on additional tariffs on India (now totalling 50%), alluding to the country’s position as the second biggest buyer of Russian oil after China.

“… Putting secondary sanctions on India, the largest purchaser outside of China, they’re almost equal. Would you say there was no action? That cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia, you call that no action?” Trump fumed. He then alluded to another alarming threat, adding, “I haven’t done Phase 2 yet, or Phase 3, but when you say there’s no action, I think you ought to get yourself a new job.”

“You remember, two weeks ago, I said, ‘If India buys, India’s got big problems,’ and that’s what happened.”

In August, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt finally name-dropped the word “sanctions,” confirming that India was being hit with additional 25% tariffs on top of the existing 25% as a means to exert more pressure on Vladimir Putin to call of the war in Ukraine.

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Trump’s recent admission comes amid strained global diplomatic relations, as he accused the leaders of China, Russia and North Korea of “conspiring” against the US as Xi Jinping, Putin and Kim Jong Un were spotted together for the first time in public at the Chinese military parade.

While potentially hinting at further sanctions with his Phase 2-3 threat, Trump also took a dig at China’s Xi Jinping, targeting him for mentioning America during his speech at the parade.

Despite the apparent back-and-forth, Trump said his relationship with all countries in question was “very good,” but more on that front would be revealed over the next week or so. “I think we helped China very much when they talk about freedom, and I don’t believe that the U.S. was acknowledged for helping China to gain its freedom. I heard President Xi last night and I think the US should have been mentioned since we helped China very much,” he added.