Russia Defends India Oil Trade After Zelenskyy’s Call to End Imports
What Happened
After Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged countries such as India, China and Turkey to stop buying Russian energy to pressure Moscow over the Ukraine war, Russia pushed back strongly. Andrey Rudenko, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, said Moscow’s understanding with New Delhi has helped India mitigate energy market disruptions caused by tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. He described Russia as a “reliable exporter” capable of supplying partners even during challenging geopolitical conditions.
Key Takeaways
The exchange highlights the growing geopolitical importance of India’s energy relationship with Russia. While Ukraine wants major buyers to reduce Russian oil purchases, Moscow argues that its supplies help ensure India's energy security amid global market volatility and potential disruptions in Middle East oil flows.