Kremlin on Trump's Claim: No Signal Yet From Delhi on Oil Halt

The Kremlin says it has received no official indication from India that it plans to halt purchases of Russian oil. The statement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration on Feb. 2 of a trade accord with India that would reduce U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, in exchange for India stopping Russian oil imports and lowering trade barriers.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was carefully reviewing Trump’s remarks. Asked directly whether India had decided to end purchases of Russian crude, Peskov said: “So far, we have not heard any statements from Delhi on this issue.”

“We Respect Bilateral Relations”

Peskov emphasized that Moscow views U.S.-India ties as separate from its own engagement with New Delhi. “We respect bilateral U.S.-Indian relations,” he said, adding that Russia attaches “no less importance to the development of an advanced strategic partnership between Russia and India.” He stressed that this partnership remains central to Moscow’s foreign policy priorities and Russia intends to continue developing bilateral relations with Delhi.

Trump framed the agreement as a reciprocal deal, pairing tariff relief for Indian exports with commitments by New Delhi to halt Russian oil purchases and ease market access for U.S. firms.

Oil Flows Since 2022

India became the largest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude after the war in Ukraine began in 2022, providing Moscow with a key export outlet as Western sanctions targeted Russia’s energy revenues. Any shift in India’s purchases would carry implications for Russia’s wartime finances and global oil markets, but the Kremlin said it is awaiting formal clarification from New Delhi.