India stands by Russian oil purchases, says ending them won't stop war against Ukraine
Photo: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Getty Images)
The purchase of Russian oil and other resources does not affect the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine. India buys it to provide energy for its 1.4 billion citizens, says Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at a briefing in Kyiv.
"It is important for all of you to understand the challenges involved in providing energy to 1.4 billion people at a time when the global energy situation is very, very complex," he says.
Jaishankar notes that Ukraine has its own position on this issue, which India respects, but New Delhi has its own and hopes that others will respect it as well.
The Indian Foreign Minister emphasizes that economic sanctions or a boycott of trade with Russia will not be able to stop the fighting.
"But let me just add: this conflict, which is now in its fifth year, will not be resolved by whether or not someone buys oil, alumina, minerals, metals, or fertilizers," he says.
According to Jaishankar, the war in Ukraine will be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiations. He adds that this is precisely why India encourages this approach.
Jaishankar states that India intends to join efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine if its assistance is truly needed.
Indian refineries are being forced to reduce imports of Russian oil from previously high levels. The main reason is Ukraine's successful strikes on Russian infrastructure, which have disrupted export supplies.
