Putins Enabler India und China bestrafen

Patience is running thin with China and India as the world’s most populous countries continue to fuel the Russian economy/war machine. Both Brussels and Washington appear to be moving in the same direction, plotting sanctions against Beijing and Delhi, respectively, over their persistent enabling of Moscow throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

After failing to reach a trade deal with Delhi, Trump is claiming moral authority to dish out even steeper duties: “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” the president said on Truth Social Monday. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” he continued. “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”

Trump backed the idea of using tariffs to punish countries that keep trading with Russia last month, while a bill that would empower him to apply secondary tariffs of at least 500 percent on imports from countries that buy Russia fossil fuels has broad support.

Separately, Brussels is preparing to push for sanctions against China over its involvement in supporting Russia’s war on Ukraine, according to an EU diplomat. The move follows a July Reuters report that Chinese-made drone engines have been covertly shipped to Russia via front companies, labeled as “industrial refrigeration units” to evade Western sanctions.

The exposé triggered alarm in Brussels. Fifteen EU countries have confronted Beijing about the shipments, but China has either denied involvement or refused to respond. “The report is accurate and it shows China is escalating its role, both quantitatively and qualitatively,” the diplomat said. “It’s fair to say that without Chinese support, the war would look very different right now.”

According to the diplomat, the EU has been aware of Chinese drone transfers to Russia since before reports surfaced. “After August, we’ll push for sanctions,” the diplomat said, warning that the bloc shouldn’t underestimate its economic leverage. “We want dialogue, but also action.”