Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Russia Defends India Oil Trade Amid West Asia War Disruptions
Russia sells oil to India, and Russia says these supplies helped keep energy moving during the war in West Asia.
Russian official Andrey Rudenko called his country a reliable energy supplier.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wants countries such as India to stop buying Russian energy.
He says this could reduce the money Russia uses to continue its war in Ukraine.
A new United States law allows very high tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil.
India says it buys energy based on its own needs and market conditions.
Russia’s ambassador to India said the purchases support India’s development rather than Russia.
The conflict has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The two sides therefore disagree about whether India’s oil purchases are useful energy cooperation or support for Russia’s war effort.
Russia said its oil supplies to India helped cushion disruptions caused by the West Asia war.
Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko called Russia a reliable exporter despite difficult geopolitical conditions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged India, China and Turkey to stop buying Russian energy.
A new United States law allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil.
India said its energy-import decisions are guided by market conditions and energy-security needs.
- Who
- Russian officials, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the governments of India and the United States.
- What
- Russia defended its crude-oil trade with India, while Ukraine called for an end to that energy trade.
- When
- The statements followed Zelenskyy’s recent comments and the passage of a new United States sanctions law; the article also refers to seven months of war-related shipping disruption.
- Where
- The energy-trade dispute involves Russia and India, while disruptions have centered on the Strait of Hormuz; Zelenskyy also spoke in New York.
- Why
- Russia says its exports support reliable energy supplies, while Ukraine says ending purchases would pressure Russia’s economy and reduce its ability to wage war.
Russia and India
Ukraine
Purpose of India’s oil purchases
Russia and India
Russia says its energy cooperation with India helps meet India’s requirements and cushion disruptions in global energy trade. India says its purchases are guided by its own development, market conditions and energy security.
Ukraine
Ukraine argues that India’s purchases help sustain Russia’s energy-dependent economy and therefore support its ability to continue the war in Ukraine.
Effect of stopping energy trade
Russia and India
Russia presents continued exports as a source of reliable energy supplies during severe geopolitical and shipping disruptions.
Ukraine
Zelenskyy says that if India, China and Turkey stop buying Russian energy, Russia would face greater economic pressure and might have to stop fighting.
International pressure
Russia and India
Russia defended its trade with India despite the possibility of sanctions-related pressure on buyers of Russian oil.
Ukraine
Ukraine welcomed stronger sanctions pressure, including the United States law authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil.
- Russian position
- Russia described itself as a reliable exporter able to meet partners’ needs in difficult geopolitical conditions.
- Indian position
- India says energy-import decisions reflect market conditions and national energy-security requirements.
- Ukrainian request
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged India, China and Turkey to stop energy trade with Russia.
- Potential tariffs
- United States legislation gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil.
- Shipping disruption
- The article says nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies previously passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Russian ambassador’s view
- Denis Alipov said India’s purchases are intended to support its own development rather than Russia.