India to stop buying Russian oil? US President Donald Trump makes BIG claim, ‘PM Modi assured…’

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (local time) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would stop buying oil from Russia, calling it a “major step” in efforts to increase global pressure on Moscow.

Trump made these statements at a joint press conference with FBI Director Kash Patel in the Oval Office; where the two highlighted the administration’s efforts to curb violent crime.

Responding to ANI’s question whether he sees India as a reliable partner, Trump said, “Yes, of course. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is my friend. We have a great relationship… I was not happy about India buying oil. And today he assured me that they will not buy oil from Russia. This is a big stop. Now we have to make China do the same…”

Reaffirming his close relationship with the Indian leader, he added, “He’s a friend of mine. We have a great relationship. He just said that two days ago, as you know.”

Trump criticized India’s previous oil imports from Russia, saying, “We are not happy that India is buying oil from Russia, because it allows Russia to continue this ridiculous war, losing one and a half million people in the meantime. Russia lost one and a half million people, mostly soldiers.”

While Washington continues to encourage New Delhi to diversify its energy sources, India has long argued that oil imports from Moscow are essential for economic stability.

Describing the ongoing conflict as unnecessary, Trump said, “This is a war that should never have started, but it’s a war that Russia should have won in the first week and they’re entering the fourth year. And I want to see it stop. That’s why I wasn’t happy about India buying oil.”

He continued: “And today he assured me that they will not buy oil from Russia. This is a big stop. Now I have to get China to do the same.”

Making a comparison with his recent diplomatic efforts, Trump said, “You know, this is relatively easy compared to what we did in the Middle East last week. The Middle East was 3,000 years old and we did it. This is three years.”

Expressing optimism about the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he said, “And I think we will get it done. I think Putin, President Putin will do it, I think he wants to end it. Let’s see.”

Commenting on the tension between Moscow and Kiev, Trump said, “There is a lot of hostility between him (Putin) and Zelensky, as you’ve probably noticed. And I think it’s damaging the process. Yes.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)