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Matthew Whitaker claimed that Russia is funding its war in Ukraine through oil sales to countries including India, China, and Brazil, and thus called for coordinated sanctions.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker (Photo: AP)
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has claimed that Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine are being funded through oil sales to countries including India, China, and Brazil.
In an interview with Fox News this week, Whitaker called for additional sanctions and tariffs on these nations to increase economic pressure on Moscow.
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“The money that’s paying for this war is coming from the sale of Russian oil to countries including India, China, and Brazil,” Whitakar was heard saying in the interview.
The Ambassador also said that the additional sanctions and tariffs must be coordinated with the European Union and the broader free world to make it clear that Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine was unacceptable.
“I think the next stage involves applying additional sanctions and tariffs to continue increasing the cost of doing business for (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and reducing his revenue,” Whitaker said.
“The death and destruction we’re seeing need to end. We need to continue increasing the pressure on Putin to stop the war,” he said.
Whitaker also highlighted that while both sides will ultimately need to agree to a negotiated settlement, Ukraine has already demonstrated willingness to reach a deal, including freezing the front lines in exchange for security guarantees.
“Both sides will have to agree, but Ukraine has demonstrated they are willing to make a deal–they’re willing to freeze the front line if they receive the necessary guarantees. Now, we need to make sure that the deal actually takes shape,” he added.
The United States has, on multiple occasions, continued to accuse India of profiteering from Russian oil.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that “targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,” and like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.
The MEA statement issued last month noted that the European Union had a bilateral trade of EUR 67.5 billion in goods with Russia in 2024. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023.
The MEA also said Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment.
The United States also continues to import from Russia Uranium Hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, and fertilisers, as well as chemicals, the MEA stated in its statement.
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About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
September 11, 2025, 09:47 IST
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