In a direct response to claims from the White House regarding a new U.S.-India trade deal, Russia officially stated on February 4, 2026, that India remains “free to buy oil from any country.”
The Kremlin’s comments serve as a rebuttal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to halt all purchases of Russian crude in exchange for a reduction in U.S. tariffs.
1. The Kremlin’s Stance: “Nothing New”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea that India had committed to a total ban on Russian energy, emphasizing India’s sovereign right to diversify its suppliers.
- No Official Word: Peskov stated that Moscow has not received any official communication from New Delhi indicating a decision to stop Russian crude imports.
- Diversification as Strategy: “India has always purchased these products from other countries. Therefore, we see nothing new here,” Peskov told reporters, adding that Russia has never been India’s sole supplier.
- Strategic Partnership: Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reinforced this, stating that the hydrocarbons trade is mutually beneficial and “contributes to maintaining stability in the international energy market.”
2. The U.S. Perspective: A “Great Trade Deal”
The controversy stems from the announcement of a major India-U.S. Trade Pact on February 2, 2026:
- Tariff Reductions: Under the deal, the U.S. agreed to lower tariffs on “Made in India” goods from 50% to 18%.
- The “Quid Pro Quo”: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on February 3 that India “committed to no longer purchasing Russian oil” and would instead shift toward American and potentially Venezuelan crude.
- Investment Pledge: The White House also claimed PM Modi committed to $500 billion of investments into the U.S. across energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors.
3. Expert Analysis: The “Blending” Problem
Russian energy experts, including Igor Yushkov of the National Energy Security Fund, argue that a total replacement of Russian oil with U.S. shale is technically and commercially impractical for Indian refiners.
| Factor | Russian Urals Crude | U.S. Shale Oil |
| Grade | Heavy, sulfur-rich. | Light, gas-condensate-like. |
| Refinery Fit | Specifically suited for Indian complex refineries. | Requires blending with heavier grades (added cost). |
| Volume | ~1.5 to 2.0 million barrels per day. | Difficult for the U.S. to match consistently at that scale. |
4. India’s Balancing Act
While India has confirmed the reduction in U.S. tariffs, the government has remained notably silent on the specific claim regarding a Russian oil ban.
- Energy Security First: Trade Minister Piyush Goyal told Parliament on February 4 that India’s priority is to “secure the energy needs of 1.4 billion Indians” through a diversification strategy.
- Market Reality: Data shows that while Russian imports dipped to 1.1 million barrels per day in early January 2026 (down from over 2 million bpd in mid-2025), Russia remains a top supplier alongside Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion: A Geopolitical Tug-of-War
The conflicting narratives suggest that while India has secured a massive trade victory with the 18% tariff cap, it is likely attempting to “taper” rather than “terminate” its Russian oil imports to avoid an energy price shock. For Russia, the public dismissal of Trump’s claim is an attempt to reassure global markets that its most important oil customer is not fully exiting the relationship.
