NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned India  of potential secondary sanctions if it continues to trade with Russia. Rutte emphasised that NATO would proceed with these measures unless India halts its business dealings with Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that, in addition to India, China and Brazil will face sanctions if they continue to support Putin against Ukraine.

Mark Rutte asked the leaders of India, China, and Brazil to speak with Vladimir Putin and convince him to accept a US-brokered peace deal.

“If you are the President of China, or the Prime Minister of India, or the President of Brazil, and you are still trading with the Russians and buying their oil and gas, I will impose secondary sanctions at 100%.” Rutte said.

“So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India, and China in a massive way,” Rutte was quoted as saying by Reuters.

However, Rutte also promised that European countries would find the money to support Ukraine so that it can be in a better position during peace talks with Russia. He also vowed that, along with the US, Europe would help Ukraine acquire air defence, missiles, and ammunition against Russia.

The threat of sanctions poses significant diplomatic and economic challenges for India, as we have markedly increased its imports of discounted Russian Oil.

Why Did He Attack India?

India has been buying oil and gas from Russia, due to which the United States and Europe are accusing India. They accuse Delhi of buying Russian energy products that fund the war in Ukraine. According to them, the money generated from these deals provides Moscow with the financial resources to continue the war against Ukraine. However, New Delhi maintains that by buying discounted oil from Moscow, it is doing what’s best for its people.