Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Russian Envoy Warns Markets Cannot Cope Without Russian Oil
Russia sells oil to countries such as India and China.
Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov said the world needs this oil and markets would struggle without it.
He said Russia is ready to keep supplying India.
India has continued buying Russian oil despite pressure from the United States and its allies.
The United States is considering stronger penalties for countries that buy large amounts of Russian energy.
A Senate-approved bill could allow tariffs of up to 100% on some imports from those countries.
Supporters of the bill say Russian energy money helps fund the war in Ukraine.
U.S. official Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Narendra Modi could work together to resolve tariff disagreements.
Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov said global energy markets could not cope with Russian oil being excluded.
Alipov said Russia was prepared to supply India with as much crude oil as it needed.
He said India had defended its national interests despite sanctions and tariffs linked to Russian oil.
The U.S. Senate approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 86-11.
The proposed law could authorize tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue significant purchases of Russian energy.
- Who
- Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov, India, Russia, U.S. lawmakers, and U.S. officials are central to the dispute.
- What
- The dispute concerns India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and possible U.S. tariffs and sanctions against major buyers of Russian energy.
- When
- Alipov’s comments came amid increasing pressure from Washington; the U.S. Senate approved the bill last month.
- Where
- The issue involves Russian oil supplies to India and possible U.S. measures affecting imports from India and China.
- Why
- U.S. lawmakers say purchases of Russian energy strengthen Russia’s economy and help fund its military campaign in Ukraine, while Alipov says excluding Russian oil would destabilize energy markets.
Russian-Indian Position
U.S. Pressure Position
Impact of excluding Russian oil
Russian-Indian Position
Denis Alipov said global energy markets cannot afford to lose Russian oil and that Russia’s supplies will remain available to India and other countries.
U.S. Pressure Position
U.S. lawmakers support measures aimed at reducing revenues from Russian energy sales, arguing that such revenues strengthen Russia’s economy and support its military campaign in Ukraine.
India’s oil purchases
Russian-Indian Position
Alipov said India is interested in buying Russian oil and has shown it can defend its national interests despite sanctions and tariffs.
U.S. Pressure Position
Washington and its Western allies are increasing pressure on countries, especially India and China, that continue importing Russian energy.
Use of tariffs
Russian-Indian Position
Alipov argued that sanctions and tariffs represent pressure tactics and prevent countries imposing them from offering India a better oil deal than Russia.
U.S. Pressure Position
The proposed U.S. legislation would give the president discretion to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from significant buyers of Russian oil or gas.
- Russian position
- Denis Alipov said the world would not cope if Russian oil were excluded from markets.
- Supply commitment
- Russia said it was ready to supply India with as much crude oil as India needed.
- Senate vote
- The U.S. Senate approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 86 votes to 11.
- Potential tariffs
- The proposed measure could allow tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries maintaining significant purchases of Russian oil or gas.
- Major buyers mentioned
- India and China were identified as major purchasers of Russian crude oil.
- U.S. diplomatic message
- Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Narendra Modi have a very good working relationship and could resolve tariff differences.