Recent developments suggest a potentially complex and evolving dynamic in the relationship between Ukraine, India, and the United States. These developments involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's stance on tariffs against India and historical military ties between Ukraine and Pakistan.

Zelenskyy recently voiced his support for tariffs imposed on India by the United States, specifically referencing those initiated by former President Donald Trump. These tariffs, which now total 50% on some Indian goods, are intended to penalize India for its continued trade relations with Russia, particularly its purchase of Russian oil amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelenskyy stated that levying tariffs on countries that continue to engage in trade with Russia is "the right idea". He emphasized the need to halt all energy purchases from Russia to exert additional pressure on President Vladimir Putin and weaken Russia's war efforts. Zelenskyy's comments came in response to a question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interactions with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

India has refuted claims that its oil purchases from Russia are funding the war in Ukraine, calling the tariffs "unjustified". Despite this disagreement, India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister Modi has also spoken with Zelenskyy, conveying India's commitment to contributing to a peaceful resolution and strengthening bilateral ties with Ukraine.

In addition to the tariff issue, Ukraine's historical arms trade with Pakistan adds another layer of complexity. Since its independence in 1991, Ukraine has engaged in significant arms contracts with Pakistan, making Islamabad one of its largest customers. In the late 1990s, a $650 million deal saw Ukraine provide 320 T-80UD tanks to Pakistan, a move that helped sustain Ukraine's Kharkiv Malyshev Tank Factory. More recently, there have been reports of negotiations for the sale of T-84 Oplot tanks.

These military ties are not new. As of 2020, Ukraine had completed arms contracts with Pakistan totaling nearly $1.6 billion. While Ukraine has also sold arms to India, its relationship with Pakistan has been primarily focused on weapons. Some reports even suggest that Pakistan has used US companies to facilitate arms sales to Ukraine. A BBC report claimed that Pakistan entered into a $364 million arms sales agreement with two private US companies in 2022, with the weapons allegedly being sent to Ukraine. These contracts were reportedly linked to the purchase of 155mm shells. However, the Foreign Office of Pakistan has denied any sale of arms and ammunition to Ukraine, stating that Pakistan maintains a policy of "strict neutrality" in the conflict.

These seemingly contradictory positions – Zelenskyy advocating for tariffs on India while Ukraine has historically maintained military ties with Pakistan – highlight the complexities of navigating international relations amid conflict. Zelenskyy's support for tariffs aligns with efforts to isolate Russia economically, while Ukraine's arms trade with Pakistan reflects its own economic and strategic interests.