New Delhi, February 5: Following a recent trade agreement between India and Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that India would cease purchasing oil from Russia. However, Russia has dismissed this assertion. The Kremlin stated that India is free to buy crude oil from any supplier, and there is nothing unusual about its energy sourcing decisions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that India has historically purchased oil from various countries and is not solely reliant on Russian crude. He refuted claims that India had promised to stop buying Russian oil as part of the trade agreement.
During a media briefing, Peskov remarked, “We, along with other international energy experts, know well that Russia is not India’s only supplier of oil and petroleum products. India has always sourced these products from other nations. Therefore, we do not see anything new here.”
Peskov also indicated that Russia has not received any official information from India suggesting plans to halt Russian oil purchases.
Discussions about a complete cessation of India’s oil imports from Russia gained traction following Trump’s statement. He claimed that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil in exchange for reduced U.S. tariffs on Indian goods under a significant trade agreement, which would lower duties to 18%.
The Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted the mutual benefits of hydrocarbon trade with India, asserting that cooperation in oil supply is advantageous for both nations and contributes to stability in the international energy market.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia is prepared to maintain close energy cooperation with India. She noted that Indian refiners cannot stop importing Russian crude due to differences in crude grades and blending requirements, and that U.S. oil cannot immediately cover the volumes supplied from Russian sources.
It is noteworthy that following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western nations imposed sanctions on Russia. Since then, India has become the largest importer of Russian oil, with Russian crude accounting for nearly one-third of India’s total crude imports in 2025. However, recent months have seen a decline in Indian imports from Russia amid changes in the global energy market and trade negotiations.
Peskov reiterated that India’s energy policy is an independent decision, and the strategic partnership between Russia and India remains crucial, indicating that any changes in oil purchases will be guided by India’s energy security and commercial considerations rather than external pressures.
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