President Donald Trump announced Friday that India has agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia, calling the decision a major step toward increasing economic pressure on Moscow. The announcement came during a joint press conference at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where both leaders emphasized renewed cooperation aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
“India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore, and Hungary is sort of stuck, because they have one pipeline — it’s been there for years and years and years, and they’re inland — they don’t have sea,” Trump told reporters. Repeating his statement for clarity, he added, “But India will not be buying oil from Russia.”
The development is part of President Trump’s broader diplomatic strategy to isolate the Kremlin financially while simultaneously working toward a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv. Analysts view India’s reported commitment as a potential economic blow to Russia, which has relied heavily on energy exports to sustain its wartime economy amid international sanctions.
During the press conference, Trump revealed that he and President Zelenskyy discussed potential weapons agreements that would expand Ukraine’s military capabilities, including the possibility of systems capable of striking deep into Russian-held territory. However, Trump maintained that his long-term goal remains peace. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get the war over with without thinking about Tomahawks,” he said, signaling a preference for diplomacy over escalation.
Trump also confirmed that his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled to take place in Hungary, would be a one-on-one discussion. He stressed that despite direct talks with Moscow, the United States would maintain continuous coordination with Kyiv throughout the process.
Ending the war in Ukraine has been a defining foreign policy objective of Trump’s second term, which began in January. Friday’s announcement represents a significant milestone in that effort, underscoring his administration’s focus on leveraging international alliances to apply economic and political pressure on Russia.
The White House has not yet released additional details about the agreement with India, including the timeline for implementation or the potential impact on global energy markets. Still, officials described the move as a breakthrough that strengthens Washington’s campaign to curb Russian influence while reinforcing its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.