Trump Aide Accuses India of Financing Russia’s Ukraine War By Buying It’s Oil
A senior advisor to US President Donald Trump has accused India of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to purchase Russian oil, representing a significant escalation in pressure from Washington. Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s most influential aides, stated that it is “not acceptable” for India to maintain its high level of oil trade with Moscow, a practice the Trump administration is seeking to curb with threats of steep tariffs.
The sharp criticism was delivered during an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures,” where Miller expressed surprise at the volume of India’s purchases. “People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact,” he said. Miller’s comments follow President Trump’s recent announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian goods and a warning of further penalties, potentially as high as 100%, for any country that continues to buy Russian oil unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal with Ukraine.
Despite the mounting pressure, Indian government sources have indicated that New Delhi will continue to import oil from Russia, citing long-term contracts and the necessity of securing the nation’s energy needs with the best available deals on the global market. India’s imports of Russian crude have surged since the start of the war in Ukraine, rising from just 0.2% of its total oil imports in 2021 to between 35% and 40% currently, making Russia its top supplier.
The Trump administration’s rhetoric has been severe, with the President recently referring to India and Russia as “dead economies” and stating he “does not care” about New Delhi’s relationship with Moscow. However, Miller tempered his criticism slightly by acknowledging the “tremendous” relationship between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The stance has been echoed by other US officials who have described India’s trade with Russia as a “point of irritation” in the strategic partnership.
This public rebuke places India in a difficult diplomatic and economic position. Analysts note that being forced to pivot away from discounted Russian crude could significantly increase India’s import bill by an estimated $9–11 billion annually. For now, Indian refiners have not been ordered to halt Russian oil purchases and continue to operate based on commercial viability, signaling a resolve to maintain an independent foreign policy despite the direct challenge from its key partner, the United States.
