Russia Criticizes U.S. for Illegal Trade Pressure on India Over Russian Oil Purchases

Web Editor

August 5, 2025

Background and Relevance of the Individuals Involved

The situation revolves around U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to increase tariffs on India due to its purchases of Russian oil. This has led to a response from Russia, represented by its Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov. Understanding the roles of these individuals is crucial to grasping the gravity and implications of this trade dispute.

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has been vocal about imposing new sanctions on Russia and countries purchasing its energy exports, unless Moscow takes steps to end its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This conflict has lasted for over three and a half years.

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has shown no signs of altering Russia’s stance on the conflict despite the approaching deadline for new sanctions.

Key Points of Contention

Russia has accused the United States of exerting illegal trade pressure on India, as Trump continues to threaten tariff hikes due to India’s oil purchases from Russia.

We have heard many statements that are actually threats, attempts to force countries to cut commercial relations with Russia. We do not consider these statements to be legal.

Peskov emphasized that sovereign nations should have the right to choose their own commercial partners and methods of economic cooperation.

India has labeled Trump’s threats as “unjustified” and pledged to safeguard its economic interests, escalating trade tensions between the two major economies.

According to two Indian government sources interviewed by Reuters over the weekend, India intends to continue purchasing oil from Russia despite Trump’s threats.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is the main issue at hand? The primary concern is U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to increase tariffs on India due to its oil purchases from Russia, which has prompted a response from Russia.
  • Who are the key individuals involved? U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are central figures in this dispute.
  • What has Russia said about the situation? Russia, through its Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, has accused the United States of exerting illegal trade pressure on India and not considering such statements as legal.
  • How has India responded to Trump’s threats? India has called Trump’s threats “unjustified” and vowed to protect its economic interests, intensifying trade tensions with the United States.
  • What is India’s stance on continuing oil purchases from Russia? Despite Trump’s threats, India intends to maintain its oil imports from Russia, as confirmed by two Indian government sources interviewed by Reuters.