Mark Rutte Warns China, India, and Brazil of 100% Sanctions Over Russia Ties

New Delhi (India) July 16: Brazil, China and India have received a direct warning from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. They will risk harsh economic sanctions if they carry on doing business with Russia.

Rutte urges pressure on Putin 

After meeting with US senators on Wednesday, Rutte said that leaders in Beijing, Delhi and Brasilia should put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to consider peace talks.

He said, "If you are the President of China, the Prime Minister of India, or the President of Brazil, and you continue to trade with Russia and buy their oil and gas, then you know: if the man in Moscow doesn't take the peace negotiations seriously, I will impose 100 per cent secondary sanctions. My encouragement to these three countries, particularly, is: if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard." 

Rutte also asked the three countries' leaders to personally push Putin to agree to peace negotiations. He said, "So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India, and on China in a massive way." 

During peace talks, Rutte promised that Europe would find the money to put Ukraine in the best possible position.

According to the agreement with Trump, the United States will now "massively" provide Ukraine with weapons. He said, "not just air defence, also missiles, also ammunition paid for by the Europeans."

India, China and Turkey are reportedly among the biggest consumers of Russian crude oil. If Trump enforces the sanctions, these nations particularly India may suffer serious consequences. 

The action might increase prices and interfere with energy supplies at a time when prices are already uncertain globally.

Trump sets 50-day deadline

Donald Trump has also hinted that if a peace agreement with Ukraine is not reached within 50 days, he will impose secondary sanctions on nations that continue to purchase Russian oil and threatened to impose "biting" 100% tariffs on Russian exports.

Trump said, “If we don't have a deal at the end of 50 days, it's going to be too bad. The tariffs are going to go on and other sanctions go on. We can do secondary. We’re probably talking about 100 per cent or something like that. We can do secondary tariffs without the Senate, without the House, but what they’re crafting also could be very good.”

Aadrika Tayal