Sanctions on Russian oil buyers won’t resolve Ukraine conflict – Indian foreign minister

India has defended its continued purchases of Russian oil, with the foreign minister saying restrictions on the energy trade will not bring a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, which has to come through dialogue and diplomacy.

“This conflict, which is today in its fifth year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals or fertilizer,” Jaishankar said after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, in the capital, Kiev. “This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation.”

Asked whether India will reduce its Russian oil purchases if Washington imposes steep sanctions on Russia’s top oil customers under a new bill, Jaishankar pointed to the challenges of providing energy for 1.4 billion people amid a “very, very difficult” global energy situation.

Russia was India’s largest crude oil supplier last month, providing around 2.1 million barrels per day, or 45% of the country’s imports, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. Volumes were lower than the record 2.8 million barrels per day imported in July as Indian refiners scaled back some purchases. 

Jaishankar said New Delhi respects Ukraine’s perspective on Russian energy, but expects India’s position to be respected as well.

The exchange comes as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 awaits consideration by the US House of Representatives. The legislation, which cleared the Senate last month, would allow tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas. Ukraine has been lobbying US lawmakers for the bill’s passage. 

READ MORE: Russia remained India’s top oil supplier in August

Jaishankar also reiterated India’s position that a resolution will not emerge from the battlefield, saying the continuation of the conflict will only bring more death and destruction, while offering India’s help to the parties in finding a way forward. New Delhi has maintained engagement with both Moscow and Kiev.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31, where he said “we have to move from endless war to the end of war, which is in humanity’s interest.” The two leaders are expected to meet again at the BRICS summit in New Delhi next week. Jaishankar’s trip was the first dedicated bilateral visit to Ukraine by an Indian external affairs minister.