In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Zelenskyy said, "Russia is basing its economy on India, sometimes Turkey and China. And it is obvious if these guys stop their energy trade with Russia, then it (Russia) will have to stop fighting the war."
His remarks came days after US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law. The legislation gives Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian oil, including India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
Zelenskyy has said he hopes the new sanctions law will increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate the war in Ukraine. "I hope that we will end this (Russia-Ukraine war) and President Trump will help us to end this war. We need to do this as soon as possible, before winter, better before winter," he said in a media interaction on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to Reuters, Zelenskyy also expressed hope that Trump would use the sanctions powers if Putin refused to de-escalate the conflict.
India remains one of the major buyers of Russian crude, with Russian supplies accounting for a significant share of India's oil imports in recent years. The issue has been a source of tension between New Delhi and Washington. The Trump administration previously doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, partly in response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil.
New Delhi has maintained that its energy-import decisions are guided by market conditions and the country's energy security requirements. Russia has also defended its oil trade with India. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said earlier this month that Moscow remains committed to meeting India's energy requirements and that New Delhi's purchases are aimed at its own development rather than supporting Russia.
Turkey is also a major buyer of Russian energy, although reports have indicated that its imports have declined following disruptions caused by Ukrainian drone attacks. Turkey purchases Russian-linked grades including CPC Blend, Kazakh KEBCO and Urals crude.
Zelenskyy's call places India's continued Russian oil purchases at the centre of the wider pressure being sought against Moscow as the Ukraine war continues and Washington gains additional powers to target countries buying Russian oil.
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