Moscow Dismisses Trump's Claims on India's Russian Oil Imports

The Kremlin has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump's claims that India agreed to stop importing Russian oil as part of a trade deal. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, emphasized India's historical practice of sourcing oil from multiple countries and stated that Russia is not its only supplier. He reiterated that India's energy policy is an independent decision, unaffected by external pressures. The Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted the mutual benefits of oil trade with India, while energy experts noted the complexities involved in ceasing Russian crude imports. This situation reflects the ongoing dynamics of global energy markets and India's strategic energy considerations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 5, 2026, 10:22 IST

Kremlin Responds to US President's Statements

Moscow: The Kremlin has refuted assertions made by US President Donald Trump regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged agreement to stop importing oil from Russia as part of a new trade deal between India and the United States. Officials emphasized that India retains the autonomy to procure crude oil from any source, and there is nothing extraordinary about its energy sourcing decisions.

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated that India has a long-standing practice of sourcing oil from various nations, indicating that Russia is not its exclusive supplier. He dismissed any claims suggesting that India had committed to halting Russian oil imports as part of the trade agreement.

Peskov remarked, "We, along with other global energy analysts, recognize that Russia is not the sole provider of oil and petroleum products to India. Historically, India has sourced these products from multiple countries. Thus, we find nothing new in this situation," during a press briefing.

He also mentioned that Russia has not received any formal notification from India regarding a cessation of Russian oil purchases.

These comments followed Trump's assertion that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil in exchange for reduced US tariffs on Indian exports, as part of a broader trade agreement that would lower duties to 18 percent.

The Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted the mutual advantages of hydrocarbon trade with India, asserting that collaboration in oil supplies benefits both countries and enhances stability in the global energy market.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, expressed Russia's readiness to maintain strong energy ties with India.

Energy analysts pointed out that Indian refineries cannot abruptly cease importing Russian crude due to variations in crude grades and blending requirements. They noted that alternative sources, such as US shale oil, cannot immediately compensate for the volume supplied by Russia.

Since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India has emerged as one of the largest importers of Russian oil, with Russian crude constituting approximately one-third of India's total crude imports in 2025.

However, recent months have seen a decline in Indian imports from Russia, influenced by changes in global energy markets and ongoing trade negotiations.

Despite Trump's assertions, Peskov reiterated that India's energy policy is an independent choice, emphasizing that Moscow's strategic partnership with India remains significant. He indicated that any adjustments to oil purchases would be driven by India's energy security and commercial interests rather than external pressures.