Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has endorsed imposing tariffs on countries that maintain economic ties with Russia, calling it the “right idea” amid Moscow’s ongoing aggression.
In an interview with ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz on Friday, Zelenskyy said such punitive economic measures remain an effective strategy, even as Russia continues its strikes.
“No. I think the idea to put tariffs on the countries who continue [to] make deals with Russia, I think this is [a] right idea,” Zelenskyy stated.
The remarks came in response to questions about the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council summit in Tianjin, China, highlighting continued cooperation among the three economic powers despite US sanctions on Russian oil.
Zelenskyy also rejected Putin’s invitation for talks in Moscow, saying he cannot visit a capital under daily missile attacks. He suggested that if dialogue is genuine, Putin should come to Kyiv.
“He can come to Kyiv. If a person doesn’t want to meet during the war… I can’t go to Moscow when my country is under missiles, under attack each day. I can’t go to the capital of this terrorist,” Zelenskyy said, accusing Putin of using the invitation as a political tactic to delay dialogue.
Earlier, Putin had expressed willingness to meet Zelenskyy in Moscow, provided the talks are well-prepared and yield constructive outcomes, stressing that such a meeting must comply with Ukraine’s constitutional framework.
Following Russia’s largest aerial assault of the war on Saturday night, Zelenskyy reiterated calls for stronger sanctions, including tariffs and trade restrictions against Russia and individuals linked to the Kremlin.
