Zelenskyy on India tariffs: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced strong support for US tariffs on countries maintaining trade and strategic relations with Russia, specifically naming India, despite New Delhi’s recent diplomatic push for an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
In an interview with media, Zelenskyy said: “I think the idea to put tariffs on the country… continuing to make deals with Russia is the right idea.”
His comments come amid a renewed push by the Trump administration to expand sanctions against Moscow following a high-voltage but inconclusive summit between Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month.
Zelenskyy’s remarks were in response to questions about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, where Modi was seen alongside the leaders of Russia and China.
While India has publicly reiterated its call for peace in the region, Kyiv appears increasingly frustrated by New Delhi’s continued energy and defense ties with Moscow.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett underscored that frustration, singling out India in the context of upcoming sanctions.
“At the National Economic Council, we are in charge of ensuring that sanctions are implemented and that those who are aiding Russia in its conflict with Ukraine—like India has been doing by purchasing Russian oil—are prepared to face economic consequences,” Hassett stated on Sunday.
“There will be a lot of discussion today and tomorrow regarding the severity and timing of sanctions,” he said, implying that more economic actions would be on the horizon.
India has increased its attempts to mediate peace in face of growing Western pressure.
Modi reiterated India’s commitment to a diplomatic settlement in two conversations with Zelenskyy last month.
Modi said, “I communicated India’s steadfast stance on the necessity of an early and peaceful settlement of the conflict.” He also stated that India is dedicated to provide “every possible contribution” to bring the war to an end and improve bilateral relations with Ukraine.
In addition, Modi recently discussed the continuing battle with French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Antonio Costa, and Ursula von der Leyen, among other important European leaders.
In a conversation with his Ukrainian colleague Andrii Sybiha, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar repeated such views, saying that India “supports an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace.” Zelenskyy is still dubious about current US–Russian diplomacy, however.
“It’s unfortunate that Ukraine was not present, because I believe that President Trump gave Putin what he wanted,” Zelensky said in reference to the Trump-Putin meeting.
He went on to say that while Putin meets with US presidents in an attempt to project influence, “he doesn’t want to meet with me.”
Zelenskyy’s comments highlight Ukraine’s tougher stance on maintaining global neutrality toward Russia, even at the risk of offending important foreign allies, as tensions between Kyiv and New Delhi increase.
