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Putin Won’t Bow to What’s Seen as Saudi Oil-Price Blackmail

  • Russian leader cultivates image of strongman who never blinks
  • President will hold out as crude slump causes economic pain
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Russia Won’t Back down to Saudi ‘Blackmail’
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Russian President Vladimir Putin will refuse to submit to what the Kremlin sees as oil blackmail from Saudi Arabia, signaling the price war that’s roiling global energy markets will continue.

The unprecedented clash between the two giant exporters -- and former OPEC+ allies -- threatens to push the price of a barrel below $20, but Moscow won’t be the first to blink and seek a truce, said people familiar with the government’s position.