Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has mounted a firm and pointed defence of India’s continued purchase of Russian energy, drawing attention to what he described as a double standard in the United States’ own buying behaviour. Speaking during a two-day visit to India, and responding to questions about former US President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of India’s import of Russian oil, Putin argued that Washington continues to acquire Russian nuclear fuel for its own energy needs while simultaneously pressuring other nations to curb similar trade. According to him, if the United States retains the right to buy uranium from Russia, then India should justifiably enjoy the same freedom without facing punitive tariffs or diplomatic scrutiny.

In an interview with India Today, Putin reiterated a point he has made in the past but sharpened it in light of global debate over sanctions and energy security. “As for India’s purchase of energy resources from Russia, I would like to note—and I have already mentioned this publicly once—that the United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants,” he said. Emphasising the parallel, he added that uranium is a form of fuel just as much as oil or gas. “If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?”

Putin’s comments come at a time when India’s energy relationship with Russia has drawn renewed attention in Washington. In August, the Trump administration imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India’s imports of Russian oil, raising the total duty to 50 percent—the highest imposed on any nation under the revised tariff regime. The move was widely viewed as an attempt to discourage countries from deepening energy ties with Moscow, even though global energy markets remain deeply interconnected and unpredictable. India, which imports more than 80 percent of its crude oil requirement, has repeatedly stressed that its decisions are guided by national interest, affordability, and long-term energy security.

When asked directly about Trump’s tariff decision, Putin avoided any confrontational tone, instead portraying the former American president’s approach as strategic and advised. “He is acting in good faith, I presume,” Putin said. “He pursues his own policy, and he has advisors. His decisions aren’t made out of thin air. He has advisors who believe that implementing such tariff policies, involving the imposition of additional duties on trade partners, ultimately benefits the US economy.” According to Putin, this worldview shapes the United States’ approach to trade even when such measures strain relations with major partners.

However, Putin drew a clear contrast between the United States’ protectionist and sanctions-driven trade model and Russia’s own economic stance. Russia, he said, has never resorted to such tariff-heavy or sanction-based tactics and has no intention of adopting them. “Our experts believe there are risks involved, but it is the choice of each country and its leadership to decide which economic policy to adopt,” he stated. He emphasised that Russia remains committed to keeping its economy open and accessible, even amid unprecedented sanctions pressure over the past several years. “We have never engaged in such practices, do not do so now, and have no intention of doing so in the future. Our economy is open. We hope that, in the end, all violations of World Trade Organisation regulations will be rectified.”

Putin’s remarks also reflect Russia’s broader diplomatic strategy toward India—one built on long-term defence, nuclear energy, and trade ties, as well as a shared approach to multipolarity. Both nations have maintained a stable relationship despite major global realignments, particularly since the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022. India has balanced its foreign policy by purchasing discounted Russian crude while also expanding strategic cooperation with the United States, Europe, and Indo-Pacific partners. New Delhi has consistently emphasised that diversified energy sourcing is necessary to meet the needs of its fast-growing economy and that its approach does not violate any international laws.

Putin’s focus on the United States’ purchase of Russian uranium highlights an often overlooked fact in geopolitical debates: despite sanctions and sharp rhetoric, Washington remains reliant on Russian nuclear fuel for a significant portion of its civilian reactor needs. This dependency has been a sensitive topic within US domestic politics, with some lawmakers calling for accelerated decoupling from Russian energy inputs. Yet the transition to alternative sources has been slow because of the complexity and cost of converting reactor supply chains. Putin’s reference to this relationship underscores that even the most powerful economies selectively navigate sanctions when national interests are involved.

For India, Putin’s remarks provide diplomatic cover at a moment when energy choices are under heightened scrutiny. New Delhi has repeatedly stated that its oil procurement from Russia has stabilised global energy markets by preventing sudden supply shocks and price spikes. Indian officials have also argued that energy security cannot be subjected to geopolitical contestation, especially when developing economies continue to battle inflation and high import bills. Putin’s framing—that energy trade with Russia is legitimate and that criticisms from the West ignore their own practices—aligns with India’s stance on maintaining strategic autonomy.

Trump’s tariff increase on India for Russian oil adds another layer to this geopolitical dynamic. With a total tariff of 50 percent, the United States has signalled its willingness to penalise partners in pursuit of a sanctions-aligned global energy regime. Yet Putin’s defence of India suggests Moscow sees New Delhi as a crucial long-term partner, one whose rights in the global energy marketplace should not be curtailed by third-party pressure. Whether India adjusts its buying patterns in response to US tariffs remains to be seen, but the country’s recent behaviour indicates that affordability and reliability will continue to guide decision-making.

Putin’s assertion that Russia does not engage in tariff-based retaliation also appears designed to contrast Russia’s behaviour with the United States’ broader trade practices. While Russia has responded to sanctions in various sectors, it has tried to position itself as committed to a rules-based global order—at least in the realm of trade—in order to reassure non-Western partners. The hope that WTO-related violations will be corrected suggests Moscow continues to seek legitimacy and predictability in global commerce, even as tensions with Western economies remain high.

Overall, Putin’s comments serve multiple purposes: a defence of Russia’s energy partnership with India; an implicit critique of US inconsistency; a reassurance of Russia’s economic openness; and a signal to global markets that Moscow is committed to being a stable supplier. At the same time, his remarks subtly acknowledge that geopolitical pressures continue to shape energy trade in ways that may not always align with economic logic. For India, the statement bolsters its argument that sovereign interests—not external pressure—will guide its energy decisions. For the global community, it is a reminder that even amid sanctions, tariffs, and shifting alliances, energy interdependence remains a defining feature of international relations.