Zelenskyy endorses Trump's import taxes on India

In a recent interview with ABC News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his views on the geopolitical situation, particularly in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appearance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.

The comments from Zelenskyy coincided with hints from Washington that further measures against Russia may be imminent. This comes after fresh Russian strikes across Ukraine, triggering an urgency in Washington. National Economic Council director, Kevin Hassett, stated that the U.S. is ready to respond economically to countries, such as India, that are helping Russia with its war against Ukraine, specifically by buying Russian oil.

India's growing diesel exports to Ukraine have added complexity to the geopolitical situation. India is currently Ukraine's top diesel supplier, accounting for 15.5% of Kyiv's imports in July 2025. This marks a dramatic turnaround from the previous year, when India's share was only 1.9%. Average daily shipments of diesel from India to Ukraine reached 2,700 tonnes in July 2025, representing one of India's highest monthly export volumes this year.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has emphasized India's desire for "an enduring peace" in discussions with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. Modi has reaffirmed New Delhi's position that an early and peaceful resolution remains essential in his conversations with Zelenskyy.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supports the idea of U.S. tariffs on countries, including India, that continue to import Russian oil. However, it's important to note that the tariffs imposed by Washington on Indian goods in protest over Russian oil purchases have not affected the Indian fuel that is sustaining Ukraine's wartime economy.

Modi has held consultations with European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, and Emmanuel Macron, regarding the situation in Ukraine. These discussions likely contribute to the growing international pressure on Russia to cease its aggression.

Despite these tensions, there is no publicly available evidence or statement from President Zelenskyy regarding tariffs or specific measures against India in connection with imports of Russian crude oil. This suggests that India's role as a key supplier of diesel to Ukraine may continue to play a significant part in maintaining Ukraine's economy during these challenging times.

In a related development, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he was ready to expand sanctions against Russia. The exact nature and scope of these sanctions remain to be seen, but they are likely to further escalate the already tense geopolitical situation.

In conclusion, India's growing role as a diesel supplier to Ukraine and its stance for peace have placed it in a delicate position amidst the ongoing crisis. The remarks from Zelenskyy and the hints from Washington indicate that further measures against Russia are imminent, and India will likely need to navigate these complexities carefully in the coming months.