Ukraine Calls for US To ‘Strangle’ Russia’s Economy

A senior advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling on the US to “strangle” the Russian economy by imposing tariffs on Moscow’s trading partners, though the US measures are unlikely to hurt Russia.

“The [Russian] economy, geared for war, cannot withstand the pressure and is holding on only through the sale of energy resources,” said Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office. “It is possible to strangle the economy with secondary tariffs proposed in the USA.”

President Trump has threatened to hit countries that are purchasing Russian oil with 100% tariffs, and a bill in the Senate would impose 500% tariffs on any country that “knowingly engages in the exchange of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products.”

Either tariff rate would have a significant impact on the US economy since China and India are major buyers of Russian oil. President Trump has already announced a 25% tariff on India and an unspecified “penalty” on the country over its trade with Russia. But Indian officials say they will continue buying Russian oil despite the US threats of further action.