Jaishankar defends India’s Russian oil trade during Kyiv visit

India defended its ongoing Russian oil trade on Thursday, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar saying that countries choosing to buy Russian oil or other commodities cannot solve the war.

“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 fertiliser,” Jaishankar said during a joint media briefing in Kyiv with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. “This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation,” he said.

Jaishankar was responding to a question on whether India would cut down on its purchases of Russian oil in case the United States were to approve proposed sanctions against countries buying Russian energy.

He acknowledged Ukraine’s position on Russian oil but said India’s position should also be respected.

“The Ukraine side has its perspective, which we respect. And we have ours, which I would expect others to also respect,” said Jaishankar.

Western nations and Ukraine have been urging India to reduce its imports of Russian crude, which rose sharply after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During his visit to Kyiv, Jaishankar discussed the war, peace efforts and bilateral relations with Ukrainian officials.