US President Donald Trump has indicated he is ready to impose &ldquo;major&rdquo; sanctions on Russian oil, provided NATO countries collectively take similar steps. The statement comes a day after Trump expressed frustration over President Vladimir Putin&rsquo;s conduct in the Ukraine conflict.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all Nato Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all Nato Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,&rdquo; Trump wrote on his Truth Social account early Saturday.
The announcement puts focus on global energy markets, with India positioned at the centre of potential economic consequences. India is currently the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China and also acts as a significant re-exporter. The European Union is a major purchaser of refined petroleum products, some of which are processed from Russian crude sourced from India.
The trade implications are immediate. India now faces a 50 per cent tariff on 66 per cent of its merchandise exports to the US due to its imports of Russian crude. Despite recent conciliatory exchanges between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, which raised hopes for a resumption of bilateral trade talks, the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that &ldquo;the trade issue would only be sorted out once India stops buying Russian oil.&rdquo;
This development underscores the increasingly intertwined dynamics of geopolitics, energy trade, and bilateral relations. With the US signaling coordinated action contingent on NATO unity, India&rsquo;s role as a major buyer and re-exporter of Russian crude could become a key factor in shaping the next phase of sanctions and global trade negotiations.

Trump Warns of Major Sanctions on Russian Oil

Trump signals tough sanctions on Russia; India faces tariffs over Russian crude imports

Trump Warns of Major Sanctions on Russian Oil

Trump signals tough sanctions on Russia; India faces tariffs over Russian crude imports

September 14, 2025 | 15:51 IST