Washington ( The COW News Digital) U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that India will no longer purchase oil from Russia, emphasizing that New Delhi has already significantly reduced imports and intends to continue cutting them further. The statement, made during a press interaction at the Oval Office, reflects Washington’s growing diplomatic pressure on India amid the prolonged Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Speaking to reporters, President Trump revealed that he recently spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that the two leaders discussed regional developments and the ongoing war in Ukraine. “Prime Minister Modi has assured me that India has already reduced its oil imports from Russia and plans to continue doing so in the future,” Trump said.
The U.S. president reiterated his administration’s commitment to ending the war between Russia and Ukraine at the earliest opportunity. “We want peace and stability in the region,” Trump remarked. “It’s time for this conflict to stop — the world has suffered enough.”
Trump’s comments come after months of Western concern over India’s decision to buy discounted Russian crude oil following the imposition of Western sanctions on Moscow in 2022. At the time, India defended its purchases, citing national energy needs and economic considerations, even as it maintained a delicate diplomatic balance with both Washington and Moscow.
However, in recent months, India has reportedly scaled down imports of Russian oil, partly in response to persistent U.S. pressure. Washington has urged New Delhi to diversify its energy sources and align more closely with Western sanctions targeting Russia’s economic backbone.
Just a day earlier, President Trump had warned India of potential economic repercussions if it continued purchasing Russian oil. “If India does not curb Russian oil imports, heavy tariffs will remain in place,” Trump had said, underscoring a tough stance on trade and energy-related cooperation.
Analysts believe that Trump’s remarks are intended not only to reinforce the U.S. position on sanctions but also to signal his administration’s diplomatic leverage over one of America’s key strategic partners in Asia.
The development highlights the complex balancing act facing India, which seeks to maintain strong ties with both the West and Russia while ensuring energy security for its rapidly growing economy.
