Ukraine President Zelenskyy backs Washington’s action, citing consequences for nations trading with Russia.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly supported the United States’ recent decision to raise tariffs on India, calling it the “right decision” to hold nations with strong trade ties to Russia accountable.
Zelenskyy said countries backing Moscow should face repercussions, stressing that such measures are necessary to maintain global pressure on Russia amid its war in Ukraine. His remarks followed images of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at an international forum, which sparked discussions on the U.S. tariffs.
The U.S. Tariff Move
In August, the Trump administration sharply increased tariffs on Indian imports, doubling the existing 25% reciprocal tax to 50%. Washington justified the move by citing India’s continuous purchase of inexpensive Russian crude oil. The U.S. argued these measures are essential to enforce global compliance and speed up a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
India Fights Back
India rejected the U.S. tariff hike, calling it “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” Officials emphasized that energy imports are vital to protect domestic consumers and ensure national economic stability. New Delhi reiterated that its foreign policy is guided by strategic autonomy, not alignment with any geopolitical bloc.
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Diplomatic Waves
The tariffs have strained US-India relations, increasing concerns about collaboration in multilateral frameworks such as the Quad. India continues to diversify its global partnerships. Modi skipped the recent BRICS summit, where Putin and Xi opposed the U.S. tariffs. Analysts see India’s absence as a conscious strategy to hedge its international partnerships without becoming fully committed to any block.
Zelenskyy’s support strengthens Washington’s tough stance on countries trading with Russia, but the growing tension with New Delhi could affect defense cooperation, trade, and overall geopolitical alignment in the Indo-Pacific.
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