Trump official accuses India of ‘financing’ Russia’s war in Ukraine by buying oil
US accuses India of financing Russia's warIn a sharp escalation of rhetoric, a senior aide in US President Donald Trump’s administration has accused India of imposing ‘massive’ tariffs on American goods and ‘cheating’ the US immigration system, in addition to purchasing the Russian oil that’s ‘financing’ Russia’s war in Ukraine.Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and a key figure in the Trump administration, made the remarks during an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. “What President Trump has made abundantly clear is that it is unacceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia,” Miller stated.His comments mark one of the most direct and forceful criticisms of India by the current US administration, particularly notable given India’s strategic role as a key US partner in the Indo-Pacific region.Miller further claimed that India’s level of oil imports from Russia is nearly on par with that of China.“People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact,” he said.The comments come amid renewed diplomatic strain, as President Trump intensifies efforts to isolate Russia economically and politically following his return to office in early 2025. Washington has been pressing allies and partners to reduce or halt economic engagement with Moscow, particularly in energy trade.Despite the criticism, Indian government sources told multiple media outlets on Saturday that New Delhi has no immediate plans to stop buying oil from Russia. Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariff on India starting Friday as the prolonged negotiations appeared to have stalled. India also appears to have been caught in the heightened tension between Trump and Russia, after President Vladimir Putin refused to heed the US president’s call for a ceasefire in the Ukraine War.Trump brought up New Delhi buying Russian oil on Wednesday, and on Thursday, India was in the crossfire in a war of words between him and former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, even though India had nothing to do with it.In the Truth Social post attacking Mededev, he brought in India out of the blue: “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”
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| US accuses India of financing Russia's war |
In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, a senior aide in US President Donald Trump’s administration has accused India of imposing ‘massive’ tariffs on American goods and ‘cheating’ the US immigration system, in addition to purchasing the Russian oil that’s ‘financing’ Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and a key figure in the Trump administration, made the remarks during an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures.
“What President Trump has made abundantly clear is that it is unacceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia,” Miller stated.
His comments mark one of the most direct and forceful criticisms of India by the current US administration, particularly notable given India’s strategic role as a key US partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Miller further claimed that India’s level of oil imports from Russia is nearly on par with that of China.
“People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact,” he said.
The comments come amid renewed diplomatic strain, as President Trump intensifies efforts to isolate Russia economically and politically following his return to office in early 2025. Washington has been pressing allies and partners to reduce or halt economic engagement with Moscow, particularly in energy trade.
Despite the criticism, Indian government sources told multiple media outlets on Saturday that New Delhi has no immediate plans to stop buying oil from Russia.
Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariff on India starting Friday as the prolonged negotiations appeared to have stalled.
India also appears to have been caught in the heightened tension between Trump and Russia, after President Vladimir Putin refused to heed the US president’s call for a ceasefire in the Ukraine War.
Trump brought up New Delhi buying Russian oil on Wednesday, and on Thursday, India was in the crossfire in a war of words between him and former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, even though India had nothing to do with it.
In the Truth Social post attacking Mededev, he brought in India out of the blue: “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”
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