Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has backed US tariffs on countries like India, even as New Delhi has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to help broker an end to the Ukraine war. “I think the idea to put tariffs on the country…continuing to make deals with Russia is the right idea,” said Zelensky in an interview with ABC News.
Zelensky was asked about his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where he was pictured alongside the leaders of China and Russia.
His statement came as the Trump administration prepares to expand sanctions against Russia. Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month failed to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough.
On Sunday, Trump said that he is ready to expand sanctions against Russia. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett also hinted at new sanctions that will be levelled against Moscow, citing India as a particular example.
“At the National Economic Council, we are responsible for making sure that sanctions get enforced and that people who are helping Russia with their war against Ukraine…for example, what India has been doing by buying Russian oil…that we’re ready to respond to them economically,” said Hassett after the latest Russian military strikes on Ukraine. “I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of talk today and tomorrow about the level of sanctions and the timing of sanctions.”
In recent weeks, India has stepped up its advocacy to end the Ukraine war. Modi spoke to Zelensky twice last month over it. Modi said he was glad to speak with Zelenskyy and hear his perspectives on recent developments.
“I conveyed India’s consistent position on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict. India remains committed to making every possible contribution in this regard, as well as to further strengthening bilateral ties with Ukraine,” Modi said on X.
Last week, Modi also spoke with the European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, European Council chief Antonio Costa, and French president Emmanuel Macron about the situation in Ukraine.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, and said India supports an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace.
