US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitekar claimed that oil prices in Ukraine were being financed through Russian oil sales to other countries including India, China and Brazil.
During an interview with Fox News, Whitekar called for additional restrictions and tariffs on these countries to increase economic pressure on Moscow.
He said that signs of tension are visible in the Russian economy and only the revenue derived from oil exports is continuing war efforts.
He also said that additional restrictions and tariffs should be coordinated with the European Union and a comprehensive free world, to be clear that Russia’s continuous aggression in Ukraine is unacceptable.
The US ambassador said, “The revenue funds of the government (Russia) coming every month are decreasing, and cracks are seen in the Russian economy. The money that is being spent for this war is coming from the sale of Russian oil to countries like India, China and Brazil.
He said, “This must be done in coordination with the European Union – the whole independent world will have to say: It is not acceptable. We have to stop the death and destruction we are seeing. We have to continue to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin to stop war.”
Whitekar further stated that although the two sides would eventually have to agree to the solution through negotiations, Ukraine has already displayed a desire to reach the agreement, including stopping soldiers deployed on the advance front in exchange for security guarantee.
He further said, “Both sides will have to agree, but Ukraine has shown that they are ready to compromise – if they get the necessary guarantee then they are ready to stop the deployment on the front front. Now, we have to ensure that the agreement really takes shape.”
America has been accusing India of earning profits from Russian oil. At the same time, Indian officials say that India is being targeted, as the European Union buys Russian gas and China is its biggest importer.
Despite Trump’s recent soft trend towards India, New Delhi is facing global uncertainties due to the US imposing 50 percent tariff on Indian imports, including an additional 25 percent tariffs due to the purchase of Russian crude oil, which, according to Washington, promotes Moscow’s efforts in conflict with Ukraine.
The Ministry of External Affairs had said that “it is unfair and indispensable” to target India “and like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security.
The statement of the Ministry of External Affairs released last month said that the European Union had a bilateral trade of goods with Russia in 2024 of 67.5 billion euros. Additionally, in 2023 services trade is estimated to be 17.2 billion euros.
This is much higher than India’s total trade with Russia that year or after that year. In fact, in 2024, LNG’s European import records reached 16.5 million tonnes, crossing the previous record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022.
The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that Europe-Russia trade includes not only energy but also fertilizer, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement that the United States is continuing import of chemicals from Russia to its nuclear industry from Russia, paladium for its EV industry, and fertilizers as well as fertilizers.
