Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced support for United States tariffs on countries such as India over Russian oil imports, even as New Delhi steps up its diplomatic outreach to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict.
What Zelenskyy said on India tariffs?
In an interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy said, “I think the idea to put tariffs on the country… continuing to make deals with Russia is the right idea.” His comments came in response to a question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appearance at last week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, where he was photographed alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The remarks coincided with hints from Washington that further measures against Moscow are imminent. President Donald Trump, whose Alaska summit with Putin last month failed to deliver a breakthrough, announced on Sunday that he was ready to expand sanctions.
National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett hinted that India could be a target of Washington’s next round of sanctions. “We are responsible for making sure that sanctions get enforced and that people who are helping Russia with their war against Ukraine… for example, what India has been doing by buying Russian oil… that we’re ready to respond to them economically,” Hassett said.
His remarks followed fresh Russian strikes across Ukraine, triggering an urgency in Washington.
Meanwhile, India has sought to balance its energy security needs with growing diplomatic efforts to help broker peace. Modi spoke with Zelenskyy twice last month, reaffirming New Delhi’s position that “an early and peaceful resolution” remains essential. He also held consultations with European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Emmanuel Macron.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar similarly highlighted India’s desire for “an enduring peace” in his discussions with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha.
India is now Ukraine’s top diesel supplier
Adding complexity to the situation, India has become Ukraine’s largest diesel supplier. In July 2025, India accounted for 15.5 per cent of Kyiv’s imports, according to Ukrainian oil market tracker NaftoRynok. Average daily shipments reached 2,700 tonnes, representing one of India’s highest monthly export volumes this year.
The shift marks a dramatic turnaround from July 2024, when India’s share stood at just 1.9 per cent. While Washington has slapped 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in protest over Russian oil purchases, the very same Indian fuel is sustaining Ukraine’s wartime economy.