Russian President Vladimir Putin has lashed out at Europe’s latest bid to target Moscow’s economic partners including India and China through fresh sanctions, calling the move a reflection of an “outdated colonial mindset.” He warned that such measures risk destabilising leaders in countries with histories of colonial exploitation and sovereignty struggles.

Putin’s statement comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump asking European countries to put economic pressure China because of its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The United States has already levied heft tariffs on both Beijing and New Delhi, citing their oil purchase from Russia.

What did Putin say about India and China?

Responding to media questions in Beijing after a four-day visit, Putin argued that leaders of large nations such as India and China could not be seen as weak in the face of external pressure. “If one of them shows weakness, his political career will be over,” he said, stressing that colonial-style diktats were no longer acceptable in international relations.

Dismissing Western claims that the punitive measures are linked to the Ukraine conflict, Putin described the war as merely a “pretext” for trade restrictions. “Ukraine doesn’t have anything to do with that. It’s only about domestic politics,” he remarked, highlighting recent tariffs imposed on Brazil as an example unrelated to Ukraine.

What is Russia’s reading of global trade tensions?

According to Putin, sanctions stem from deeper economic imbalances between the West, particularly the United States, and rising economies like India, China, and Brazil. He pointed to what he termed “trade disproportion” and urged disputes to be settled through negotiations rather than punitive actions.

“There is a trade disproportion between the United States and India or with China, but there is no situation between Brazil and the United States, for example. And, by the way, Brazil faced additional tariffs on the 6th of August, even though the deadline was the 8th of August. So what does Ukraine have to do with this? Nothing,” the Russian President stated.

While acknowledging some imbalance in trade, Putin believes that those should be addressed through negotiations.

How does this affect India?

New Delhi, already navigating global economic uncertainty, has been hit hard by Washington’s tariff policy. The US recently imposed a 50% duty on Indian imports, along with an additional penalty over India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian crude. Washington argues that these imports indirectly bolster Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine, a claim India has strongly resisted.

Is there any room for dialogue?

Despite the sharp criticism, Putin struck a conciliatory note, expressing confidence that “ultimately, things will be sorted out” and that a “normal political dialogue” would resume in due course.