Russia Slams Trump’s Threats to India, Calls Them ‘Illegal’

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has publicly denounced US President Donald Trump’s recent threats against India as “illegal.” On Tuesday, Peskov stated that attempts to “force countries to stop trading with Russia” cannot be considered legal, and that countries have a right to choose their own trade partners. The statement is a clear show of support for India in its growing dispute with the US.
The controversy was ignited by Trump’s social media post, in which he accused India of buying discounted Russian oil and then reselling it for a profit. He tied this trade to the war in Ukraine, claiming India was indifferent to the conflict, and threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods. The threat comes on top of a 25% tariff already imposed on India on August 1.
The Indian government has also responded with a strong-worded statement. The Ministry of External Affairs called the targeting of New Delhi by the US and European Union “unjustified and unreasonable.” The statement affirmed that India would “take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”
The diplomatic fallout highlights the complexities of modern international relations, where economic decisions are deeply intertwined with geopolitical alignments. Russia’s defense of India reinforces its close strategic and economic ties with New Delhi, and shows a united front against what they perceive as coercive US policies.