India’s Tariff Woes Continue as Zelenskyy Heads to White House for High-Stakes Talks

DEEPANSHU SHARMA

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet Donald Trump on Monday for discussion regarding a trilateral summit to end the Russia-Ukraine war

According to reports, Trump's proposed deal imagines Ukraine surrendering Russian-captured territory in exchange for non-NATO security guarantees. European allies and Kyiv remain wary of his closeness with Putin

However, challenging Trump could fracture the 75-year-old Atlantic alliance, even as the US President insists Ukraine is destined to lose without American support

Though not directly part of the war, India faces uncertainty as tariffs are being used as leverage in Trump’s wider Russia-Ukraine peace calculations

Experts criticize Washington’s punitive tariffs on New Delhi, calling it poor diplomacy, especially as India is a strategic partner caught in the crossfire of great-power politics

Putin highlighted that US-Russia trade rose 20% under Trump, even as the White House pressures India over Russian oil imports, sparking accusations of double standards

Democrats argue that punishing India won’t deter Putin and say Trump should instead sanction Moscow and support Ukraine with military aid, rather than targeting allies

Critics describe Trump’s handling of India ties as “amateur hour,” citing lack of South Asia expertise, poor coordination, and even mishandling of sensitive documents