Trump Claims PM Modi Will Halt Russian Oil Purchases to Support Ukraine Peace Efforts

US President Donald Trump has stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given assurances to Washington regarding India's plans to cease purchasing oil from Russia in the near future, which Trump believes could contribute to peace in Ukraine. During his White House remarks, Trump expressed high regard for PM Modi, calling him a "great man" and a leader who has demonstrated longevity in office, though his comments took an unusual turn that prompted him to clarify his statement.

"Modi is a great man. He loves Trump," Trump remarked before quickly adding, "I don't want you to take the word 'love' any differently. I don't want to destroy his political career."

The US President referred to India as an "incredible country" and praised PM Modi's enduring leadership. "I have watched India for years. It's an incredible country, and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months, and this was year after year after year, and my friend has been there now for a long time," Trump commented.

This positive rhetoric signals an improvement in bilateral relations that had previously been strained by significant tariffs imposed by Washington. Trump had earlier criticized India for supporting Russia's military operations in Ukraine through oil purchases, suggesting this undermined his peace initiatives.

Announcing what he termed a "breaking headline," Trump revealed that the Indian Prime Minister has assured him India will discontinue Russian oil imports. "He's assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia. He can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon," he stated.

As of now, New Delhi has not issued any official response to these claims.

Regarding the ongoing conflict that began in 2022, Trump expressed his view that Russia should have achieved victory within a week, suggesting the prolonged conflict reflects poorly on Russia. He mentioned having once believed a resolution was within reach but acknowledged that the intense animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy presents a significant barrier to peace negotiations.

Trump suggested that India's cessation of Russian oil purchases would simplify efforts to end the conflict, adding, "If India doesn't buy oil, it makes it much easier, and they assured me that within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia. They will go back to Russia after the war is over."