Trump Claims ‘India Won’t Buy Russian Oil Anymore’ in High-Stakes Meeting with Zelensky — Sparks Global Buzz Across 50+ Nations
During a high-profile meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump claimed that India would no longer buy Russian oil
United States President Trump met with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday to hold crucial arms talks regarding the war in Ukraine.
During the bilateral lunch with Zelensky, Trump repeated the claim that India would stop the purchase of oil from Russia. “Well, India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore,” the US President said, a claim he made earlier.
Trump had, while interacting with reporters in the White House on Wednesday, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “assured” him that India would stop purchase of Russian oil.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big stop,” Trump said.
In response to the US President’s claims, India said that the government’s priority is to safeguard the interests of the the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. New Delhi said that the country’s energy imports “are guided entirely by this objective”.
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” a statement by the external affairs ministry said.
The ministry also highlighted India’s “twin energy goals” of ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said he was “not aware” of any phone call between Modi and Trump on Wednesday. “On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders,” he said.
Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including additional 25 per cent duties, on account of the purchase of Russian oil.
In a statement that has stirred international discussion, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that India would no longer buy oil from Russia, during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week. The remark, made on the sidelines of diplomatic talks focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, has sent ripples through global energy and political circles, given India’s growing dependence on discounted Russian crude since the start of the Ukraine war.
According to media reports, Trump made the claim while emphasizing his plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict swiftly if re-elected. He told reporters that several nations, including India, were rethinking their energy ties with Russia. “India’s not going to buy Russian oil anymore. They understand what’s happening and they’re making the right move,” Trump said during a post-meeting briefing.
The statement immediately drew attention from analysts and policymakers across the world. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has been one of the key buyers of discounted Russian crude since 2022, when Western sanctions on Moscow disrupted global oil markets.
India has consistently defended its energy trade with Russia, arguing that it operates based on national interests and global market realities. Indian officials have maintained that the country’s oil imports are guided by affordability, availability, and energy security, not political alignment.
Despite Western criticism, India’s import of Russian crude reached record levels in 2023 and early 2024, accounting for over 35% of its total oil imports. The discounted oil has helped stabilize domestic fuel prices amid volatile global markets.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation or policy shift from New Delhi in response to Trump’s claim. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Petroleum Ministry have not issued any statements clarifying or endorsing the former U.S. President’s remark.
Trump’s comment has triggered strong reactions across geopolitical and energy sectors. Analysts suggest that if India were to scale back its Russian oil purchases, it could significantly impact Moscow’s export revenues, which rely heavily on Asian markets.
On the other hand, such a move could also pose challenges for India, which has benefited from stable oil prices amid global inflation. “If India stops buying Russian oil, it will need to find alternate suppliers, potentially increasing its import costs and affecting domestic fuel stability,” said a senior energy analyst based in London.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has welcomed Trump’s statement, seeing it as a potential diplomatic victory against Moscow’s global influence. “We appreciate all efforts to reduce Russia’s ability to finance its war machine,” a Ukrainian official reportedly commented after the meeting.
The timing of Trump’s remark comes as Washington continues to engage New Delhi on balancing its strategic ties with Moscow. India’s role as a major democracy in Asia and its partnership in forums like the Quad (alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia) have made it a crucial ally for the West in maintaining regional stability.
If Trump’s claim proves true, it could mark a major geopolitical shift — signaling India’s gradual realignment toward Western energy and security frameworks. However, experts caution that without an official policy announcement from New Delhi, the statement remains speculative.
