Trump Says India Will Halt Russian Oil Imports
Modi Allegedly Promises to End Purchases Amid US Pressure
Key Takeaways:
- President Donald Trump said Oct. 15 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil.
- The unconfirmed move would support Trump’s push to pressure Moscow into ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
- Trump plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Oct. 17 as part of his renewed diplomatic effort.
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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Oct. 15 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that his country would stop buying Russian oil.
The change, which has not been confirmed by the Indian government, would boost Trump's efforts to pressure Moscow to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
“There will be no oil. He’s not buying oil,” Trump said. The change won’t take immediately, he said, but “within a short period of time.”
The Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has been frustrated by his inability to force an end to the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion almost four years ago. He's expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he increasingly describes as the primary obstacle to a resolution, and he's scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Oct. 17.
India is the second biggest purchaser of Russian oil, after China, and Trump punished India with higher tariffs in August.
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