Saturday, March 29, 2025
Moscow/London, September 19, 2025 — Russia has issued a strong rebuttal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats of tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, insisting that neither India nor China will alter their energy policies under American pressure.
Speaking in a televised interview, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed Trump’s warnings, saying:
“The United States cannot stop India and China from buying Russian oil simply through threats. Both countries will continue to purchase energy resources from us in their national interest. Pressure tactics or tariff measures will not change their decisions.”
The Trump administration has consistently criticized India, China, and European nations for continuing oil imports from Russia despite ongoing sanctions. Trump has urged G7 and European partners to impose harsher restrictions on Moscow and its allies, framing energy trade with Russia as a direct challenge to Western unity.
During his recent visit to the United Kingdom, Trump once again raised objections to Indian oil imports from Russia. He defended the possibility of imposing high tariffs on nations that refuse to comply with U.S. sanctions, calling such measures “justified.”
This marks the first time Russia has directly answered Trump’s threats, signaling Moscow’s confidence in its strategic partnerships with India and China. Both nations have expanded discounted oil purchases from Russia since the Ukraine war and show no signs of reducing dependency.
Analysts say Trump’s tariff warnings could deepen tensions within international trade frameworks and risk splitting Western alliances if European partners are forced into tougher sanctions.
For now, Russia remains firm that energy trade with India and China will continue uninterrupted, regardless of U.S. objections.
