United States Vice President JD Vance has strongly defended the Biden administration’s decision to impose secondary sanctions and tariffs on India, calling them an essential component of Washington’s broader economic strategy against Moscow. Speaking on NBC News’ Meet the Press on Sunday, Vance explained that the measures were aimed at tightening restrictions on Russia’s oil revenue streams, which continue to fuel its war in Ukraine.
“The President has applied aggressive economic leverage, for example the secondary tariffs on India, to make it harder for Russia to profit from its oil economy,” Vance stated. He added that Russia could only return to the global fold if it halted its military offensive, otherwise it would remain isolated.
Addressing skepticism from Secretary Marco Rubio, who questioned the effectiveness of sanctions in forcing a ceasefire, Vance clarified that such tools were still available but would be deployed selectively. “Sanctions are not off the table, but decisions will be case-by-case. The point is to apply leverage that brings Russia to the negotiating table,” he said, noting that Moscow has shown little interest in halting hostilities so far.
Vance argued that the Trump administration has already placed Moscow under greater financial strain than previous governments, stressing, “We still have a lot of cards left to play.”
He also responded to criticism that Washington has not acted as firmly against China, the largest purchaser of Russian crude. Vance countered that Beijing was already facing significant penalties: “We have a 54 per cent tariff on the PRC right now. We’ve also engaged China diplomatically to press them toward becoming a more constructive partner in ending this conflict.”
Looking ahead, Vance suggested that tariffs could either be expanded or reduced depending on how negotiations with Russia evolve. “We are applying strong economic pressure to bring this war to an end. If we see progress, we can dial back. If not, we can increase pressure further,” he said.
On Ukraine’s security, the Vice President underscored that Washington’s commitment remains firm. He emphasized that the US is working to ensure Kyiv has reliable guarantees to prevent future invasions.
Highlighting diplomacy as a parallel track, Vance concluded that the US continues engaging both Moscow and Kyiv to find common ground, stressing that an extended war serves no one’s interest — not Europe’s, not America’s, and not the region’s.
