India is reportedly reducing its oil imports from Russia at the request of US President Donald Trump, according to the White House. During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the US sanctions on Russia's major oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, are significant and part of efforts to limit Moscow's revenue amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Leavitt mentioned, "I saw some international news that suggests China is scaling back oil purchases from Russia; we know that India has done the same at the request of the President." The US has also encouraged its European allies to decrease their Russian oil imports as part of a broader strategy against financing the war.

Despite these claims, India maintains that its energy policy is driven by national interests, focusing on ensuring affordable and secure energy supplies for its consumers. The US has accused India of aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin in financing the Ukraine war through its oil purchases.

Tensions between India and the US have escalated, particularly after Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, raising them to 50%, which includes a 25% additional duty on Russian crude oil imports. India has criticized these actions as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable."

Leavitt noted that Trump has long indicated he would take action against Russia when deemed necessary, and recent sanctions reflect that stance. She also mentioned Trump's frustration with Putin's lack of progress towards a peace settlement. Although a meeting between Trump and Putin was anticipated later this year in Hungary, it has been postponed indefinitely, though Leavitt stated that it is not entirely off the table for the future.