Western Powers Tighten Grip on Russia’s Oil as Trump Claims India to Halt Purchases

Western nations have intensified pressure on Russia’s oil exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, with U.S. President Donald Trump asserting that India will cease buying Russian crude and Britain imposing sweeping sanctions on major Russian and Chinese energy firms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to meet Trump in Washington on Friday to seek greater military and energy support as both Kyiv and Moscow escalate attacks on critical energy infrastructure.

India, one of Russia’s top oil buyers alongside China, is reportedly preparing to scale back its imports, though officials say no formal directive has been issued. According to trade data, Russia currently supplies about 36% of India’s oil—roughly 1.75 million barrels per day. However, traders anticipate a gradual decline in purchases starting December, following U.S. pressure and ongoing trade negotiations that have already seen Washington double tariffs on Indian goods.

Trump told reporters that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil, calling it “a big step” and adding that the U.S. would next urge China to do the same. Yet, India’s foreign ministry denied knowledge of any such conversation, emphasizing continued discussions on energy cooperation with the United States.

Meanwhile, Britain announced sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as Chinese firms Shandong Yulong Petrochemical and several port operators linked to Russian energy imports. The sanctions also target 51 ships, including LNG tankers and Russia-owned refinery Nayara in India. Moscow’s embassy in London condemned the sanctions, warning they would destabilize global markets without altering Russia’s policies.

Despite international restrictions, Russian officials remain confident. President Vladimir Putin said oil output would only dip slightly this year, while Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak reaffirmed ongoing cooperation with India.