Zelensky Supports Trump’s Sanctions on India Over Russian Oil Purchases
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed his approval of former President Donald Trump’s “secondary sanctions” on India for its significant Russian oil imports, describing the approach as a “right idea” during an interview.
The remarks sparked intense debate in Indian media, where many commentators criticized Zelensky and pointed out Ukraine’s own ties to Russian trade, particularly through India’s refined oil sales.
Trump’s sanctions aim to deter countries from engaging in business with Russia, a response initiated in the summer to limit funding for its military actions in Ukraine. India, which has historically maintained cordial relations with both the U.S. and Russia, has become the largest buyer of Russian crude oil following the invasion, capitalizing on the situation to profit from selling refined products to other nations.
In an ABC News interview last week, Zelensky answered questions about India’s role. When asked about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at a recent event in Beijing commemorating World War II, Zelensky acknowledged Modi’s participation in multiple international forums, including a meeting with leaders like Vladimir Putin.
“No,” he replied when asked about Modi’s presence at the parade. “I think the idea is to impose tariffs on countries that continue to do business with Russia. I think this is the right idea,” he emphasized.
While Zelensky has been more critical of European nations still importing Russian fossil fuels, he echoed Trump’s stance on reducing Europe’s energy dependency on Russia.
“We all understand that we need additional pressure on Putin; we need pressure from the U.S.,” Zelensky stated. He further noted that some European nations continue purchasing oil and gas from Russia, a dynamic that he believes must change.
In April, Trump initiated significant modifications to U.S. trade policy, compelling countries trading with the U.S. to renegotiate their agreements. This led to 25% tariffs on Indian goods, which rose to a total of 50% in late August as a specific response to India’s Russian oil dealings, aligning it with tariffs imposed on Brazil for different reasons.
India amplified its Russian oil imports considerably after European sanctions were enacted in 2022. Currently, India and Saudi Arabia are the biggest consumers of Russian oil globally. Analysts suggest the new tariffs will negate the financial benefits India has gained from these oil purchases. According to a report from the Global Trade Research Initiative, India is projected to save about $17 billion due to its Russian oil deals but could face $37 billion in tariffs in the coming fiscal year.
Indian media extensively covered Zelensky’s support for Trump over the past few days. In contrast, the Indian government condemned Trump’s actions as “unfair and irrational.” Notably, Zelensky had a discussion with Modi, who communicated India’s ongoing commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict but resisted calls to halt Russian oil imports.
Zelensky reiterated the necessity of curbing Russian energy exports: “We have noted the need to limit the exports of Russia’s energy, particularly oil, to reduce the likelihood and ability to fund the continued war,” he conveyed.
Despite the criticism, Trump has not indicated any plans to lift tariffs on India soon. Recently, he shared an image from a gathering that included Modi, implying that ties between the U.S. and India may be strained.
“We seem to have lost India and Russia to the deepest and darkest China. Let them have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump commented, expressing concern about trade relationships. He labeled India’s trade with the U.S. as a “unilateral disaster,” highlighting the imbalance in business transactions.
“In addition, India has purchased most of its oil and military products from Russia,” he remarked, adding that India should have made adjustments to its trade practices long ago.
