Washington, D.C. – January 5, 2026 – US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Congress will soon consider "great legislation" enabling his administration to impose tariffs on countries continuing to buy Russian oil, specifically highlighting India as a target where tariffs could be raised "very quickly."
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to the White House, Trump stated: “We can raise tariffs on them very quickly.” He referenced ongoing pressure on India, where the US had doubled tariffs to 50% in August 2025 over its purchases of discounted Russian crude, which Washington views as funding Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine.
Accompanying Trump was Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who detailed a proposed bill that would authorize tariffs up to 500% on imports from nations purchasing Russian oil or uranium. Graham claimed the existing tariffs were the primary reason India has "substantially" reduced its Russian oil imports, recounting a recent meeting where India's ambassador reportedly sought relief by emphasizing the cuts. “This stuff works,” Graham said, expressing hope the legislation would advance.
Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "very good man" and "good guy," asserting that Modi "knew I was not happy" with India's Russian oil trade and adjusted purchases accordingly to appease Washington. Despite the 50% tariffs—comprising a base rate plus a penalty linked to Russian energy buys—India has faced stalled trade talks with the US, though reports indicate fluctuating but ongoing imports of Russian crude.
The president described Russia's economy, amid nearly four years of war in Ukraine and Western sanctions, as in "lousy" condition, crediting US measures for weakening Moscow's "war machine." The tariff strategy forms part of broader efforts to isolate Russia economically and push for peace negotiations.
In related comments, Trump addressed recent tensions involving an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on a residence used by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the northwestern Novgorod region late last month. Russia accused Ukraine of launching 91 drones targeting the site, prompting initial anger from Trump, who said he was "very angry" after Putin raised it in a phone call.
However, following a CIA briefing, Trump stated on Sunday: “I don’t believe that strike happened.” He noted something occurred "fairly nearby but had nothing to do with this," and US officials verified the Russian claims as unfounded. The CIA assessed that no attack targeted Putin or his residence, with any drone activity aimed at a separate military facility in the region.
Ukraine immediately denied the allegations, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissing them as fabrications potentially aimed at derailing peace talks. The incident followed a December 28, 2025, meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, where discussions advanced a US-backed peace framework, though territorial issues remain unresolved.
Trump expressed hope for a settlement: “We just hope that Russia and Ukraine get it settled.” His administration has positioned secondary sanctions and tariffs as leverage to end the conflict, now in its fourth year.
These developments highlight Trump's multifaceted approach: economic coercion on third-party nations supporting Russia indirectly, combined with direct diplomacy and intelligence-driven skepticism toward Kremlin narratives. As legislation on expanded tariffs looms, affected countries like India face heightened trade uncertainties, while de-escalation signals in Ukraine talks offer cautious optimism amid persistent battlefield realities.
