The White House has confirmed that India will reduce its purchases of Russian oil, following directives from President Donald Trump. Speaking at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the sanctions are aimed at pressuring Russia to end its ongoing war with Ukraine. “The President is frustrated that Russia has not concluded the conflict with Ukraine. These measures, including sanctions on two major Russian oil companies, are intended to bring Russia to the negotiating table,” she said.
US reiterates India scaling down Russian oil buy.
US also claimed that President Trump requested India to stop oil purchase, and that even China has started to Reduce Russia oil buy.#UnitedStaes #India #China #Russia #Oil #FirstUp | @anchorAnjaliP pic.twitter.com/x4PS9jjVps— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) October 24, 2025
Leavitt added that, in line with the President’s request, India has reportedly agreed to curb Russian oil imports, and reports suggest China may also follow a similar course. However, India has clarified that it will independently decide its trade partnerships and volumes based on domestic needs.
Earlier, President Trump announced direct sanctions against Russia, targeting major oil firms, including Rosneft and Lukoil, to cut Moscow’s war funding. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued the directives, which focus on the companies and their subsidiaries. Trump emphasized that the sanctions are designed to pressure Russia economically and expressed hope that the move will encourage Moscow to end hostilities in Ukraine.