India: Halting Russian oil buys won't end Ukraine war

Key facts

• Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said stopping Russian oil purchases will not end the war in Ukraine.
• Jaishankar stated that solutions to the conflict will come through dialogue and diplomacy.
• India is Russia's second-largest buyer of crude oil.
• Purchases of Russian oil have provided Moscow with significant revenue since the 2022 invasion.
• The U.S. previously imposed tariffs on Indian imports due to its energy trade with Russia.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated on September 3, 2026, during his first visit to Kyiv, that halting purchases of Russian oil will not resolve Moscow's ongoing war against Ukraine. Jaishankar emphasized that solutions to the conflict will emerge from dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiations, rather than from the battlefield.

Speaking at a briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, Jaishankar highlighted the challenge of ensuring fuel supplies for India's 1.4 billion people. He indicated that while he respects Ukraine's position on Russian oil purchases, he expects the same respect for India's stance. India is currently Russia's second-largest buyer of crude oil, behind only China, and these purchases have been a significant source of revenue for Moscow since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Jaishankar remarked that the conflict, now in its fifth year, will not dissolve based on oil or mineral purchases. He reiterated India's readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war.

Previously, in August, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian imports due to the country's energy trade with Russia, which were later reduced to 18%. Washington has also urged India to switch from Russian oil to Venezuelan crude. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote this September on a bill that could introduce tariffs of up to 100% on countries among the top five buyers of Russian oil or gas, including India and China.