Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said that if the United States has the right to buy fuel from Russia, there is no reason why India should not enjoy the same privilege. His remarks came in response to a question about former US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on India purchasing Russian oil.
Speaking to India Today during his two-day visit to India, Putin highlighted that the US continues to buy nuclear fuel from Russia for its own power plants. “As for India’s purchase of energy resources from Russia, I would like to note—and have already mentioned this publicly once—the United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its nuclear power plants,” he said.
Putin further argued that uranium supplied to US reactors is also a form of fuel. “If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?” he added.
His comments come months after Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil, bringing the total tariff to 50% in August—the highest rate applied to any country.
Addressing the tariff issue, Putin said he believes Trump is “acting in good faith.” He noted that Trump’s decisions are not spontaneous but guided by his advisors. “He pursues his own policy and he has advisors. His decisions aren’t made out of thin air. His advisors believe that imposing additional duties on trade partners ultimately benefits the US economy. He is acting in good faith, I presume,” Putin said.
The Russian President also clarified that Russia does not adopt such economic practices and has no plans to do so going forward. “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. 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,” he added.