New Delhi, September 8: Ukrainian President has voiced support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on countries trading with Russia, including India, calling it the “right idea” amid escalating tensions in the Ukraine-Russia war.
In an interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy was asked about Trump’s recent move to impose nearly 50% tariffs on Indian goods, particularly in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The journalist also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China, suggesting the optics of growing ties between India and Russia.
Zelenskyy responded by emphasizing that “energy is Putin’s weapon,” and reiterated his long-standing call for stronger sanctions and trade restrictions against countries maintaining economic ties with Moscow. “It is the right idea to put tariffs on countries that continue to make deals with Russia,” Zelenskyy said, supporting Trump’s tariff strategy.
At the end of July, Trump announced tariffs targeting Indian imports, citing India’s energy trade with Russia. While India defended its position by noting that China imports more Russian oil than India.
