NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned China, India, and Brazil that they could face severe U.S. secondary sanctions if they continue trading with Russia while Moscow rejects peace talks over Ukraine. Rutte’s remarks underscore mounting Western pressure on key Russian partners as Washington threatens sweeping penalties.

Rutte to Beijing, Delhi, and Brasília: 'Call Putin'

Speaking to reporters, NATO’s Mark Rutte singled out China, India, and Brazil, urging them to reconsider their economic ties with Moscow. “My encouragement to these three countries particularly is if you live now in Beijing or in Delhi, or you’re the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this because this might hit you very hard,” Rutte said.

He called on these governments to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage seriously in negotiations. “Please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way,” Rutte warned.

Rutte’s statements clarify the consequences of President Donald Trump’s recent ultimatum, which gave Moscow 50 days to enter talks with Kyiv or face harsh penalties. Trump pledged secondary sanctions and 100% tariffs targeting countries that maintain energy and trade ties with Russia. Though Trump did not explicitly name China, India, or Brazil, these three nations are primary buyers of Russian oil and gas.

U.S. lawmakers are also pushing for even stricter measures. Senator Richard Blumenthal highlighted bipartisan efforts for a bill proposing 500% tariffs on nations doing business with Russia, aligning with Trump's approach to intensify economic pressure on Putin’s allies.

Risks for Global Relations

Rutte’s threat introduces complications to Washington’s diplomacy with India and China. India is close to finalizing a trade agreement involving 20% reciprocal tariffs, while U.S.-China ties have only recently stabilized after a May trade truce. The proposed sanctions risk destabilizing these fragile arrangements.

Despite these diplomatic risks, NATO’s message remains clear: continued support for Russia’s economy will carry heavy costs if Putin refuses to pursue peace.