US claims India, like China, scaling back Russian oil purchases at Donald Trump request

The White House reiterated its claim that India has reduced oil purchases from Russia at the request of President Donald Trump, even as New Delhi maintained that its energy policy remains guided solely by national interest and consumer security.

Speaking at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump was “increasingly frustrated” by the lack of progress toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war and expressed confidence that the latest round of sanctions on Russian oil firms would deal a blow to Moscow’s economy.

“If you read the sanctions and look at them, they are pretty hefty,” Leavitt said. “I saw some international news this morning that China is scaling back oil purchases from Russia. We know India has done the same at the President’s request. The President has also pushed European countries, our allies, to please stop their purchases of Russian oil as well.”

The Press Secretary’s comments follow the announcement of fresh US sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, aimed at further isolating the Kremlin’s energy revenues. “It is a full court press for sure, and we expect that these sanctions are going to do harm, as the Secretary of the Treasury said yesterday,” she added.

However, India has rejected any claims of coordinated action, repeating that India’s energy policy is independent and focused on ensuring stable prices and reliable supply chains. The remarks come amid tensions over Trump’s decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.

TRUMP’S FRUSTRATION WITH PUTIN GROWS

Leavitt said President Trump is frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin for showing “not enough interest or action” in moving toward a peace settlement. The two leaders were expected to meet later this year, but the meeting has now been postponed indefinitely after Moscow rejected a US ceasefire proposal.

“The President has always maintained that he would implement sanctions on Russia when he felt it was appropriate and necessary. Yesterday was that day,” Leavitt said. “He’s long expressed his frustration with Vladimir Putin and both sides of this war. He feels, unfortunately, that on the Russian side, as of late, he has not seen enough interest or action in moving the ball forward towards peace.”

Despite the setback, Leavitt stressed that a Trump–Putin meeting remains a possibility. “A meeting between these two leaders is not completely off the table. The President and the entire administration hope that it can happen again one day. But we want to make sure that there’s a tangible positive outcome out of that meeting and that it’s a good use of the President’s time,” she said.

In Moscow, President Putin accused the US of using economic pressure as a tool. “These tactics will fail,” Putin said, calling the sanctions as an “unfriendly move” that would not improve relations between Washington and Moscow. He stated the measures would have “little effect” on Russia’s economy, saying, “No self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure”.

– Ends

With inputs from agencies

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