Zelenskyy said US tariffs on the India-Russia oil deal are the right idea because Trump wants to finish war.

In his most recent remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised US President Donald Trump‘s push to put tariffs on nations “continuing to make deals” with Russia, including India, as a number of world leaders offer their opinions on the current negotiations over the conclusion of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, he expressed his belief that “President [Trump] wants to finish this war.”

“I believe that imposing taxes on nations that continue to do business with Russia is a good idea. In a Sunday interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy stated, “I believe this is the right idea.”

This occurs as Washington and New Delhi are still at odds over tariffs and India’s oil trading with Russia. The US has repeatedly expressed concern that revenues from Russian oil sales are helping finance the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, while India has maintained that its purchases are driven by economic and commercial considerations.

Trump declared on Sunday that he is ready to impose a second round of sanctions on Russia for its conflict in Ukraine. He did not, however, elaborate on what that might entail, according to Reuters.

India’s oil purchases are motivated by commercial and economic factors, according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who stated on Friday that New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from Moscow.

A day after claiming that Washington had “lost India and Russia” to China, US President Donald Trump downplayed tensions with India on Friday, referring to the two countries’ relationship as “special.” In response to his most recent statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Saturday that he completely reciprocates the US President’s thoughts and “positive assessment” of the two countries’ relationship.

🇺🇦🇷🇺 Zelensky: FOR US, SURVIVAL IS VICTORY

“He didn’t occupy us. We win. And I think so, because we still have our country.

He understands that very clearly. He wants, of course, to occupy us totally.

For him, that would be victory. But until he can do it, the victory is on… https://t.co/xSRYCg2iEH pic.twitter.com/HhOkoP119p

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 8, 2025

Zelenksyy on the implications of victory for Ukraine

When asked by the interviewer what victory means for Ukraine, Zelenskyy framed survival itself as a triumph. “Win… Putin’s goal is to occupy Ukraine. Till he doesn’t occupy us, we win. I think so. Because we have our country. And of course, he understands it very clearly. He wants, of course, to occupy us totally. For him this is victory. And until then, the victory is on our side,” Zelensky said.

“For us, to survive is victory,” he continued. because we are surviving while maintaining our independence, identity, and nation.

(With help from the ABC News interview.)