Decoding Zelenskyy’s Support To US Tariffs Against India: Exclusive From Diplomatic Sources

Last Updated:September 08, 2025, 13:57 IST

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during an interview with ABC News, said that “it is the right idea to put tariffs on countries that continue to make deals with Russia”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for sanctions against Russia after it launched its largest aerial assault of the Ukraine war Saturday night. (AFP File)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement supporting US tariffs against India is part of broader Western toolkit to leverage the crisis with Russia to influence wider trade and strategic negotiations, said diplomatic sources.

Zelenskyy, during an interview with ABC News, said that “it is the right idea to put tariffs on countries that continue to make deals with Russia".

The remarks came after the interviewer asked whether he had seen Modi, Xi, and Putin meet in China, and whether he thought Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on India could backfire. Zelenskyy called for sanctions against Russia after it launched its largest aerial assault of the Ukraine war Saturday night.

In a series of posts on X, Zelenskyy said that the statements by state leaders and institutions must be backed by strong actions such as “sanctions against Russia and individuals connected with Russia", which he suggested through tariffs and trade restrictions with Russia.

What diplomatic sources said

“Zelenskyy is pushing Western view to maintain pressure on rivals. The interview is aiming to indirectly target India’s position. The aim is to unsettle counterparts and test India’s endurance. Similar tactics were observed in the past. Trade and strategic negotiations such as steel tariffs and H-1B visa discourse show a repeat US method of controlled escalation," said sources.

“New Delhi views these as non-substantive. We want negotiations to happen in national interest," said sources.

“Multiple backchannel exchanges are on. We are hopeful these could act as a safety valve to break the deadlock without public escalations. India has categorically refused to open its agriculture and dairy sectors. These redlines are also in the mind of the US. By standing firm, India has told allies and adversaries in same manner that we are open to trade partnerships. India is clear that our sovereignty over core economic sectors will not be compromised. We are aware that US side is expected to continue with controlled information warfare, indirect public pressure. The calculated US strategy is to probe India’s tolerance levels but New Delhi is firm. India will maintain strategic autonomy and will continue engage the US counterparts through diplomatic channels to ensure safe passage for both," they said.

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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