Stories
Russia Defends India Oil Trade, Cites West Asia War Impact
F
Firstpost•23-09-2026, 19:15
Russia Defends India Oil Trade, Cites West Asia War Impact
- •Russia defended its crude oil exports to India, stating they helped cushion the impact of the war in West Asia, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for an end to energy trade between India and Russia.
- •Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko claimed Moscow’s energy cooperation with New Delhi significantly reduced the impact of the US war on Iran and global energy trade disruptions.
- •Rudenko described Russia as a "reliable exporter" capable of meeting partner requirements even in challenging geopolitical conditions, referring to disruptions in global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- •Zelenskyy argued that Russia's economy relies heavily on energy sales to countries like India, China, and Turkey, and ending this trade would force Russia to stop fighting the war.
- •India maintains that its energy import decisions are guided by market conditions and its energy security requirements, with Russia also defending the trade as meeting India's development needs.
Key Questions Answered
Moscow stated that its energy supplies to New Delhi have helped cushion the impact of the war in West Asia and significantly reduced disruptions to global energy trade caused by the conflict.
The strategic waterway experienced persistent disruptions after the US and Israel launched a joint strike on Iran on February 28, making it one of the main theatres of conflict.
US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law, which empowers him to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil.
