Trump says India's Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil

President Donald Trump has revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to cease Russian oil imports during their Wednesday telephone conversation, marking a substantial diplomatic achievement for US efforts to restrict Moscow's energy revenues. The American leader characterized India's commitment as "a big stop" in his administration's campaign to economically pressure Russia by diminishing international markets for its petroleum exports.

Implementation timeline and tariff context

Trump acknowledged the transition away from Russian crude imports represents a gradual process rather than immediate termination, noting "you can't do it immediately" while expressing confidence the phase-out would conclude shortly. The commitment follows Trump's previous imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, a measure designed to compel New Delhi to reduce its substantial Russian oil purchases that had continued despite Western sanctions.

Broader Ukraine conflict strategy

The US president connected India's energy policy shift to broader objectives regarding the Ukraine conflict, stating his administration seeks from Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop killing Ukrainians, and stop killing Russians." Trump characterized the ongoing conflict as a military engagement Putin "should have won in one week" that instead approaches its fourth year with substantial casualties on both sides.

Future diplomatic targets

Trump indicated his administration would next focus on persuading China to implement similar restrictions on Russian oil imports, suggesting Beijing represents the subsequent priority in his campaign to constrict Moscow's primary revenue source. The strategic approach aims to accelerate resolution of the Ukraine conflict by economically pressuring Russia through coordinated international energy market restrictions.