U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India has agreed to stop importing oil from Russia by the end of this year following what he described as an “absolutely great” conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump asserted that India’s decision reflects its commitment to global stability and partnership with the United States. 

“I spoke with Prime Minister Modi yesterday — they’ve been absolutely great. India has told me they are going to stop buying oil from Russia by the end of the year,” President Trump stated during a White House briefing.

The claim comes just days after Trump had earlier mentioned a similar conversation with PM Modi — one that was later downplayed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which clarified that no such assurance had been given.

Revisiting his previous assertion that he helped de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, Trump said tariffs were a key factor in preventing potential conflict. “If India and Pakistan want to fight, that’s okay, but they’re going to pay tariffs. Two days later, they called up and said they would not fight anymore. Tariffs are vital,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, in a related move, the United States announced sweeping sanctions against Russia’s leading oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil, as part of its intensified pressure campaign on Moscow. The U.S. Treasury Department said the sanctions aim to weaken Russia’s ability to finance its ongoing war in Ukraine by targeting one of its primary revenue sources — energy exports.

“Today’s actions increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector and degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine. A permanent peace depends entirely on Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith,” the Treasury said in a statement.