Trump Again Makes 'Crude' Claim, Says India To Stop Buying Russian Oil

Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 00:20 IST

Donald Trump’s remarks follow previous, similar claims that were met with a firm, albeit careful, response from New Delhi

Trump made the assertion during a joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. File pic/Reuters

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his controversial claim that India will cease its purchases of Russian oil, stating that the commitment was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The assertion was made during a joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding a geopolitical layer to the ongoing energy debate.

“India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore," Trump stated at the White House press briefing. He acknowledged that the process “can’t be done immediately" but assured reporters, “the process is going to be over with soon."

The US President also contrasted India’s alleged move with the situation in Central Europe, noting, “Hungary is sort of stuck because they have one pipeline… and they’re inland—they don’t have sea… but India will not be buying oil from Russia." This comment highlighted the differing energy security challenges faced by European nations reliant on the Druzhba pipeline versus India, which is a major maritime importer. Hungary has consistently cited its landlocked status and reliance on Soviet-era pipeline infrastructure as a barrier to cutting off Russian crude imports, a position other analysts have challenged.

Trump’s remarks follow previous, similar claims that were met with a firm, albeit careful, response from New Delhi. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson had previously stated that there was “no conversation" between PM Modi and the US President on the matter on the day Trump first made the claim. The MEA instead reiterated that India’s “consistent priority" is to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario" and that its import policies are guided by the twin goals of “stable energy prices and secured supplies", implicitly defending its continued energy trade with Russia, which has historically offered substantial discounts.

Currently, Russia remains India’s primary crude oil supplier, accounting for approximately one-third of its total oil imports, driven by discounted pricing. However, reports suggest that the volume of Russian crude imports by Indian refiners has seen some month-on-month volatility, largely influenced by price economics and discounts. Trump’s push comes amid ongoing US-India trade negotiations, where Washington has used tariffs in an attempt to pressure New Delhi to reduce its reliance on Moscow’s oil exports.

Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ...Read More

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ...

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