NATO Chief Warns India, China, and Brazil Over Trade Ties With Russia
Washington(The Uttam Hindu): NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has issued a stern warning to India, China, and Brazil over their continued trade relations with Russia. Speaking after a high-level meeting with US Senators on Wednesday, Rutte emphasized that if these nations do not limit or halt their economic engagements with Moscow, they could face strict and far-reaching sanctions from NATO and its allied countries.
This statement comes amid heightened global tensions, as former US President Donald Trump recently announced a fresh supply of weapons to Ukraine. Trump also threatened to impose a 100% secondary tariff on countries buying Russian exports if no peace agreement is reached within the next 50 days.
Rutte urged global powers to actively push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward peace talks. “If you are in Beijing, Delhi, or Brazil, this warning is for you. Call Putin and support peace negotiations, or be ready for severe consequences,” he said.
US Senator Thom Tillis welcomed Trump’s move but expressed concern over the 50-day timeline, suggesting that Putin might exploit the period to gain more ground in the conflict. Meanwhile, Rutte reassured that Europe will continue to provide economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine, while the United States will deliver advanced weapons, missile systems, and air defense support funded partly by European allies. The warning marks an escalation in NATO’s diplomatic pressure on countries maintaining neutral or balanced trade policies with Russia despite the ongoing Ukraine war.