Russian ambassador to India says country buys oil for energy security
In Delhi, Denis Alipov, the ambassador of the Russian Federation — an aggressor state — to India, said that India buys Russian oil for its own energy security and development, rather than to help Moscow finance the war against Ukraine. He said this in an interview with NDTV World.
Statement by the Russian ambassador
According to Alipov, New Delhi is guided in its purchases by the needs of national development, the well-being of the population, and its own interests. He also said that Russia is ready to supply India with as much oil as it needs.
The Russian diplomat criticized sanctions and tariffs imposed on countries that continue to import Russian energy resources. He called such measures “pressure tactics” rather than fair cooperation and said that other countries could offer India more favorable oil supply terms.
US initiatives and India’s position
The ambassador’s comments came amid tighter Western sanctions and the possible introduction of secondary tariffs against states buying Russian oil. The United States is considering legislative initiatives, including the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could give the president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas.
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Supporters of the proposal argue that trade in Russian energy resources supports Russia’s economy and makes it easier for it to finance military operations in Ukraine. The bill also provides for direct sanctions against Russia’s president, senior military officials, state banks, and energy projects.
Jaishankar’s visit to Kyiv
During an official visit to Kyiv, India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that reducing India’s purchases of Russian oil would not stop the war. After a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, he stressed that the conflict can be settled only through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiations.
Jaishankar also noted the need to ensure energy security for India’s 1.4 billion residents. Russia remains the country’s largest supplier of crude oil, although import volumes dropped sharply in August after record levels in June and July.
