As Russia was hit by United States sanction over its war on Ukraine and now Moscow imposing personal sanctions against US President Joe Biden and other top officials, the White House said India taking up Russia’s offer of discounted crude oil would not be a violation of US sanctions, but appealing to all countries amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
“Think about where you want to stand when history books are written at this moment in time,” The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said reoffering to India.
“Support for the Russian leadership is support for an invasion that obviously is having a devastating impact,” Psaki said as she was asked about a report on the possibility that India could take up the Russian offer of discounted crude oil.
“Our message to any country would be abide by the sanctions,” she said.
While US officials have in recent weeks said that they would like India to distance itself from Russia as much as possible, they recognise its heavy reliance on Moscow for everything from arms and ammunitions to missiles and fighter jets.
India’s stance in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is being internationally watched as India has abstained from voting at the United Nations condemning Russia’s aggression.
US officials have said in recent weeks they would like India to distance itself from Russia as much as possible.
Pertinently, Russia in a reciprocal move has imposed personal sanctions against US President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top government officials.
Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the move was in response to a “series of unprecedented sanctions” that include barring top Russian government officials from entering the US.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley figure among those hit by Moscow’s reciprocal measures.
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