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News Topical, Digital Desk : NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has made a sensational claim that the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on India for buying Russian oil are having a major impact on Moscow.
Rutte says that because of these tariffs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now seeking a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to explain his Ukraine strategy.
"These tariffs immediately affect Russia, because now Delhi is asking Putin on the phone, 'I support you, but explain your strategy, because I'm facing 50% tariffs from the US,'" Rutte said.
However, there was no immediate reaction from New Delhi or Moscow to the statement.
Will Trump's tariffs extend to Russia?
Last month, Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on India and an additional 25% as punishment for buying Russian oil. Since returning to power in January, Trump has imposed reciprocal tariffs on several countries.
He accused India of aiding Moscow's attacks on Ukraine by buying Russian oil. On September 13, Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was willing to impose "major sanctions" on Russia unless all NATO countries stopped buying Russian oil.
Rutte supported Trump's stance, saying NATO countries should stop buying Russian oil. Trump also said NATO's commitment to ending the Ukraine war is far less than 100% and that the purchases of Russian oil are surprising.
Read More: China approves new five-year plan, stresses self-reliance to counter Trump's tariff war
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