Trump Says PM Modi Promised 40% Reduction in Russian Oil Imports

In a fiery White House press briefing on October 22, 2025, President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell, claiming India has pledged to drastically cut its Russian oil imports following a personal assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters, Trump asserted that New Delhi’s purchases—currently about 34% of its crude supply—will be "sharply reduced" by nearly 40% before the year’s end. “It’s a process; you can’t just stop cold,” Trump said, praising Modi’s cooperation. “I spoke to him yesterday, and they’ve been absolutely great.”

The announcement aligns with Trump’s aggressive push to cripple Russia’s war machine, underscored by new sanctions targeting oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, announced just hours earlier. These measures, the first of Trump’s second term, aim to choke Moscow’s revenue fueling its invasion of Ukraine. Oil markets reacted swiftly, with Brent crude spiking over $1 per barrel. Trump’s strategy hinges on pressuring allies like India, which has leaned heavily on discounted Russian oil since 2022 to stabilize domestic prices for its 1.4 billion citizens.

However, India’s Foreign Ministry pushed back hard, denying any formal commitment to curb imports. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated he was “not aware of any such conversation,” emphasizing that India’s energy policy prioritizes consumer interests and secure supplies. With Russian crude saving India billions annually, New Delhi’s reluctance signals potential friction. Trump’s earlier move to slap 50% tariffs on Indian goods—half tied to Russia’s oil trade—has already strained ties, threatening the $132 billion US-India trade relationship.

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Trump’s focus now shifts to China, Russia’s top oil buyer, which imported 109 million tonnes last year. Ahead of a critical summit with President Xi Jinping next week in South Korea, Trump aims to leverage trade threats to broker a Russia-Ukraine truce. “Biden and Obama forced China and Russia together over energy,” he claimed, vowing to unravel their ties. With 155% tariffs looming over Beijing from November 1, the stakes are sky-high. Trump believes Xi could be “receptive” to capping oil purchases in exchange for concessions, potentially reshaping global energy flows.

This high-stakes gambit, blending tariffs, sanctions, and personal diplomacy, marks Trump’s boldest bid yet to end the Ukraine war. Recent moves—like scrapping a Budapest summit with Putin after Moscow stonewalled peace talks—show his frustration. NATO and the EU are aligning, with Britain mirroring US sanctions and the EU banning Russian LNG. 

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