Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Zelenskyy Urges Tougher US Action Over Russia India Oil Trade
Ukraine’s president wants countries such as India, China and Turkey to buy less energy from Russia.
He says Russia uses money from selling oil and gas to help pay for its war in Ukraine.
A new US law gives President Trump the power to place very high tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian oil.
India says it chooses its energy supplies based on prices and its need to keep enough fuel for its people.
Ukraine has attacked Russian oil refineries, and Zelenskyy says these attacks have greatly reduced Russia’s ability to make fuel.
Trump has pressured Ukraine to stop some refinery attacks because fuel prices are rising.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine must respond to Russian attacks on its own energy facilities.
He also hopes the United States can negotiate a pause in attacks on energy sites.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged India, China and Turkey to stop buying Russian energy.
He said cutting Russia’s energy revenues could pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.
A new US law allows President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil.
India defended its energy-import decisions as based on market offers and national energy-security needs.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian attacks had destroyed about 45% of Russia’s refining capacity as global fuel prices rose.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump, Russia, India, China and Turkey.
- What
- Zelenskyy called for tougher pressure on countries buying Russian energy and urged action to reduce Russia’s oil revenues.
- When
- The comments came days after Trump signed the new sanctions law and during the United Nations General Assembly week.
- Where
- Zelenskyy spoke in an interview with The Wall Street Journal and to media in New York.
- Why
- He said cutting Russia’s energy income could pressure Moscow to stop the war in Ukraine.
Pressure Russia and Defend Ukraine
Protect Energy Security and Fuel Markets
Russian energy trade
Pressure Russia and Defend Ukraine
Zelenskyy argues that India, China and Turkey should stop buying Russian energy because the revenue helps Russia continue the war.
Protect Energy Security and Fuel Markets
India says its purchases reflect market offers, national energy-security needs and its right to decide where to buy oil.
Attacks on oil infrastructure
Pressure Russia and Defend Ukraine
Zelenskyy defends Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries, saying Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure cannot go unanswered.
Protect Energy Security and Fuel Markets
Trump has pressured Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries as fuel prices rise; French President Emmanuel Macron has called for both sides to stop attacks on oil infrastructure.
Energy ceasefire
Pressure Russia and Defend Ukraine
Zelenskyy hopes Trump will negotiate an energy ceasefire and impose stronger sanctions if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to de-escalate.
Protect Energy Security and Fuel Markets
Zelenskyy said Putin may not agree to an energy ceasefire without additional pressure from Washington.
- Potential US tariffs
- The new law allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries continuing to buy Russian oil.
- Countries identified as buyers or potential targets
- India, China, Turkey, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan were mentioned in connection with Russian energy purchases or possible tariffs.
- India’s position
- India says its energy-import decisions are based on market offers and energy-security needs.
- Russian refining capacity
- Zelenskyy said Ukrainian attacks had destroyed around 45% of Russia’s refining capacity.
- Russian diesel supply
- Russia supplied about 6% of global diesel before Ukrainian attacks reduced its production.
- US diesel price
- The US national average diesel price reached $6.53 per gallon on Tuesday, according to the Oil Price Information Service.