Nato Chief Warns India, China, Brazil of 100% Secondary Sanctions Over Trade Ties With Russia

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned India, China, and Brazil that they could face 100% secondary sanctions if they continue trade ties with Russia and if Moscow does not engage seriously in peace talks to end the Ukraine war. Rutte’s warning came during a press briefing after meeting US senators on Wednesday, as Western allies ramp up pressure on countries buying Russian oil and gas.

Rutte said leaders in Delhi, Beijing, and Brasilia should directly call Russian President Vladimir Putin to push for peace negotiations. “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% secondary sanctions,” Rutte said.

The Nato chief added, “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.”

The comments come a day after US President Donald Trump threatened sweeping tariffs and secondary sanctions on Russia’s trading partners if a peace deal is not reached within 50 days. Trump has also pledged new military support for Ukraine, including advanced Patriot missile systems, to counter Russian air attacks.

“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,” Trump told reporters, adding that 100% secondary tariffs could be enforced without needing fresh congressional approval.

According to Reuters, 85 of 100 US senators back proposed legislation empowering Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on nations assisting Russia.

India, China, and Turkey are among the largest buyers of Russian crude oil. If the US enforces secondary sanctions, these countries could face serious economic consequences, potentially disrupting energy supplies and raising global prices further.

In response, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow is ready to negotiate with Trump but rejected ultimatums, calling them unproductive.