The political scientist pointed to the unsuccessful attempts of the West to intimidate India, China and Brazil with sanctions.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is using blackmail against India, China and Brazil, which continue to trade with Russia, trying to intimidate sovereign centers of power. This was stated on July 16 in an interview with Izvestia by political analyst Ivan Mezyuho.

"Mark Rutte is openly blackmailing India, China and Brazil, doing it brazenly, arrogantly, publicly in order to intimidate the sovereign centers of power. However, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance needs to understand that he is no match for the leaders of India, China and Brazil, and these states are able to defend their national interests in possible tariff and sanctions confrontations with the United States of America," the source said.

The political scientist also noted that these countries are aware of the potential consequences of new sanctions from Washington against Russia, but are unlikely to abandon trade with it.

In addition, Mezyuho stressed that Rutte's statement illustrates the confrontation between the Western bloc and the sovereign centers of power.

"India, China, and Brazil are members of the BRICS integration association, which is an alternative to the Western-centric world, and by and large, today these countries, together with Russia, stand on the path of countering neocolonialism. And Mr. Rutte's statement is the very thing that is the real manifestation of the neo—colonial policy of the West," concluded Mezyuho.

The burden on Washington: why did Trump use the language of threats to Moscow

And why will 100% duties make little difference in trade, and Patriot supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not bring them success on the battlefield?

On July 16, Rutte warned India, China and Brazil of serious consequences due to possible US secondary sanctions if they continue to trade with Russia, Sky News quoted him as saying. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian opposed unilateral sanctions for trade with Russia and said that only peaceful dialogue would resolve the conflict in Ukraine.