Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed support for the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on countries maintaining trade relations with Russia, calling it the “right idea.”
Zelensky was responding to a question in an ABC News interview on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO Summit in China indicated that sanctions on Russia were backfiring.
“I think the idea to put tariffs on countries who continue to make deals with Russia is a right idea,” Zelensky said.
Trump’s Second Stage Of Sanctions
Zelensky’s remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is prepared to enter what he termed the “second stage” of sanctions against Russia, signaling a new wave of economic measures aimed at pressuring Moscow to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Coordinated Action By Washington, EU Against Nations Purchasing Russian Oil
The comments also follow statements by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said that coordinated action by Washington and the European Union against nations purchasing Russian oil could collapse Russia’s economy and compel President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
“If the US and the European Union can increase sanctions and impose secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, the Russian economy will collapse entirely. That will be enough to bring President Putin to the negotiating table,” he said.
Bessent further added that the US is ready to increase pressure on Russia but needs its European partners to follow suit.
“We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us”, he added.
Trump’s 50% Tariff
The United States has already imposed significant penalties, including a 50 per cent tariff on India that took effect on August 27. Earlier, Trump had levied a 25 per cent tariff citing unfair trade practices and later added an additional 25 per cent in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
India has criticized the US decision, claiming it is being unfairly targeted while several European countries continue large-scale imports of Russian oil and gas. New Delhi highlighted that Europe conducted trade worth EUR 67.5 billion in goods with Russia in 2024 and EUR 17.2 billion in services in 2023, despite the ongoing conflict. Officials in India argue this demonstrates double standards, as European nations have not faced comparable restrictions despite maintaining commercial ties with Moscow.
