Countries That Do Business With Russia Need To Be Punished: Zelenskyy

New Delhi: Without naming any country, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has backed the US tariffs and said those who do business with Russia should be punished. This comes a day after finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman made it clear that India will continue to buy Russian oil, guided solely by national interest.

Zelenskyy, who called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently and was assured of India’s efforts to end the war with Russia, has said that imposition of tariffs is the ‘right idea’.

“That is why statements by state leaders and institutions must be backed by strong actions – sanctions against Russia and individuals connected with Russia, tough tariffs and other restrictions on trade with Russia,” Zelenskyy said.

“Their losses must be felt. That is what is truly convincing,” he added.

Zelenskyy also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want negotiations and Russia’s fuel shortage is a “logical response.”

“Putin does not want negotiations, he is clearly hiding from them, so Russia’s fuel shortages and other economic troubles are the logical response to its refusal to agree to a ceasefire or a meeting at the leaders’ level,” he said.

“This is a clear sign that Putin is testing the world – whether they will accept or tolerate this,” he added.

Additionally, while talking to news outlet ABC, the Ukraine President reiterated that imposing tariffs on countries who continue to make deals with Russia is “the right idea.”

“I think the idea to put tariffs on the country…continuing to make deals with Russia is the right idea,” the Ukrainian president said.

His remarks come a day after Russia launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Ukraine.

India, incidentally, emerged as the largest exporter of diesel to Ukraine in July, contributing to nearly 15.5% of the country’s imports of the valuable fuel that keeps its war machines running. Much of this diesel was probably refined from crude imported by India from Russia.

US president Donald Trump initially imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods. He later added another 25% as penalty, allegedly for purchasing Russian oil.

Instead of backing down and attempting to placate the US, India defended its sovereign right to do business with Russia. Prime Minister Modi also met Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, recently.

The two leaders shared a ride in Putin’s limo and were spotted laughing together as they were involved in a light discussion.