Key Points
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that US threats and ultimatums will not work on “ancient civilizations” like India and China.
- Lavrov’s comments come after the Trump administration hiked tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in August 2025 to penalize New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil.
- The US has accused India of funding the war in Ukraine, a charge India denies, stating its energy policy is based on national interest and market needs.
- Lavrov dismissed concerns about new sanctions, stating Russia has adapted since Trump’s first term and criticized the Biden administration for using sanctions as a substitute for diplomacy.
Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has issued a sharp rebuke of the United States’ use of tariffs and threats, stating that such coercive tactics will not succeed against “ancient civilizations” like India and China. Speaking on the Russian TV program “The Great Game,” Lavrov warned that attempting to pressure these nations with ultimatums is a failing strategy and that Washington is beginning to understand this reality.
Lavrov’s strong remarks are a direct response to recent actions by the Donald Trump administration, which has escalated its criticism of India for continuing to purchase oil from Moscow amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The US recently doubled import duties on Indian goods, raising tariffs from 25% to 50% on August 27, explicitly citing New Delhi’s energy trade with Russia as the reason. The US has accused India of effectively funding Russia’s war effort, a claim India has consistently rejected.
“Moral and Political Opposition”
In his statement, Lavrov criticized the US approach as fundamentally flawed. “Both China and India are ancient civilisations. And talking to them like ‘either you stop doing what I don’t like or I’ll impose tariffs on you’ won’t work,” he said. He added that besides undermining the economic well-being of these countries by forcing them to seek more expensive energy sources, the US policy faces significant “moral and political opposition”.
India has maintained that its energy procurement decisions are driven by national interest and market dynamics, describing the US tariff hikes as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”.
Russia Unfazed by Sanctions
When questioned about the possibility of new sanctions against Russia, Lavrov dismissed the concerns. He noted that Russia has already adapted to such measures, referencing the “enormous amount of unprecedented sanctions” imposed during Donald Trump’s first presidential term. He drew a contrast with the subsequent Biden administration, which he accused of using sanctions as “a replacement for any diplomatic effort” without seeking compromise. Lavrov’s comments signal Russia’s defiance in the face of continued economic pressure from the West and its support for key partners like India and China who are charting independent foreign policies.
