In recent daily news highlights, former U.S. President Donald Trump is calling on China and India to stop buying oil from Russia. Trump says these oil purchases are helping Russia continue its war in Ukraine. He wants to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire and stop the fighting.
But both China and India are still buying large amounts of oil from Russia. The oil is cheaper than other options, and it helps their economies. So far, they have shown no signs of stopping.
Three Countries Buying Most of Russia’s Oil
After the European Union (EU) stopped buying most Russian oil in early 2023, Russia started sending more oil to Asia. The biggest buyers now are:
- China
- India
- Turkey
Before the war in Ukraine, India did not buy much oil from Russia. But that changed when the EU boycott began. Since then, oil sales to Asia have increased a lot.
Here’s how much energy each country has bought from Russia since the ban:
- China: $219.5 billion worth of oil, gas, and coal
- India: $133.4 billion
- Turkey: $90.3 billion
These numbers show just how important Russian oil is to these countries.
Cheaper Oil Means Bigger Profits
One of the main reasons China and India keep buying from Russia is that the oil is cheaper. Russian oil sells at a lower price than the international standard price, which is called Brent crude. When countries buy cheaper oil, their refineries can make more profit. They turn the oil into useful products like diesel and petrol, which helps their economy grow.
This low cost gives Asian countries a big advantage, especially during times when energy prices are high.
Despite Sanctions, Russia Is Still Making Billions
Even though the U.S., EU, and the Group of Seven (G7) countries have placed sanctions on Russia, the country still earns a lot of money from oil. In June alone, Russia made $12.6 billion from oil sales, according to the Kyiv School of Economics.
Sanctions are supposed to stop Russia from making too much money. One method used by the G7 is a price cap. This cap means companies can’t help Russia ship oil if the price is too high. However, Russia has found ways around this rule.
Russia now uses what experts call a “shadow fleet” – older ships that are not part of official shipping systems. These ships are often insured and managed by companies in countries that do not follow Western sanctions. This helps Russia continue selling oil around the world.
Russian Oil Helps Fund the War Effort
Russia is expected to earn about $153 billion from oil exports in 2025, the Kyiv institute says. These earnings help fund the country’s military spending. Russia uses the money to:
- Support its national currency, the ruble
- Import goods, including weapons and military parts
- Pay for government programs
So, when China, India, or other countries buy oil from Russia, they are indirectly supporting the Russian government’s ability to continue the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s Strategy
Trump’s message to China and India is clear: stop helping Russia by buying its oil. His hope is that if enough countries stop buying Russian oil, it will hurt Russia’s economy. This would force Putin to come to the table and agree to peace talks or a ceasefire.
However, it remains uncertain whether China or India will respond to Trump’s demands. For now, they appear more focused on cheap energy and economic growth than on stopping the war.
Stay tuned for more Breaking News and Daily news highlights as the situation develops.
