- Russia defends oil trade with India, citing energy security benefits.
- Zelenskyy appealed to India to halt Russian oil purchases.
- US sanctions act targets major buyers of Russian oil.
Russia has once again defended its oil trade with India, stating on Wednesday that its energy cooperation helped New Delhi navigate US-Iran tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The defense follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeal for India to halt purchases of Russian oil.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stated that Moscow’s arrangements with New Delhi shielded India from the energy shock triggered by the Middle East crisis around the Strait of Hormuz.
He described Russia as a “reliable exporter” capable of fulfilling partner demands “even in the most challenging geopolitical conditions.”
Russia: We’re Helping India Weather Iran War’s Energy Shock 🇷🇺🤝🇮🇳
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) September 23, 2026
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Moscow’s understandings with New Delhi have helped “significantly mitigate” the impact of the US war on Iran and disruptions to global energy trade.
He called… https://t.co/mg7lFXiEfE pic.twitter.com/6gtEz7uSz4
The remarks came in response to Zelenskyy's call for an end to the India-Russia oil trade. Zelenskyy argued that Moscow relies heavily on countries like India to sustain its economic growth, and that severing energy ties could compel Russia to halt the war in Ukraine.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Zelenskyy noted that Russia's economy depends significantly on India, Turkey, and China.
“Russia is basing its economy on India, sometimes Turkey and China. And it is obvious if these guys stop their energy trade with Russia, then it (Russia) will have to stop fighting the war," he said.
His remarks came days after US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law which gives Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil, including India, China, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan.
Zelenskyy said he hoped the legislation would help pressure Russia into ending the war.
“I hope that we will end this (Russia-Ukraine war) and President Trump will help us to end this war. We need to do this as soon as possible, before winter, better before winter," he said during a media interaction on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
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Zelenskyy also said he hoped Trump would use the powers under the sanctions law if Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to de-escalate the war, reported Reuters.
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Meanwhile, India remains a major importer of Russian oil, accounting for roughly one-third to nearly half of its crude imports. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov stated that New Delhi purchases Russian oil for domestic development rather than to support Moscow, while criticising US sanctions threats.