US Senator Lindsey Graham has claimed that India is now buying “dramatically” less Russian oil, insisting that US President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Delhi for buying oil from Moscow is a “good example” of how things can change.
US Senator Lindsey Graham has claimed that India is now buying “dramatically” less Russian oil. (file/ap)”Clearly, the pressure we are putting on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to come to the peace table and stop the massive offensive against Ukraine is not working. President Trump’s idea of going after Putin’s oil customers who support his war machine should be vigorously pursued by the US and Europe,” he wrote in X.
In August 2025, the US announced a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, along with an additional 25 percent punitive tariff. The move was linked to Russia’s purchase of crude oil and military equipment from India.
In early January, the US administration led by President Donald Trump reportedly planned to impose tough new sanctions on Russia in an ongoing bid to end the war between Russia and Ukraine that began in 2022.
The bill, the Russia Authorization Act of 2025, threatens tariffs of up to 500% on “countries that knowingly engage in the exchange of Russian-sourced uranium and petroleum products.” As Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said, Trump has “green-lit” the Russia sanctions bill; According to Graham, India is one of the countries that faces steep tariffs
US-India trade deal announcedOn Monday, Trump said India and the US had reached a new trade deal. In a post on Truth Social, he said Washington would cut its reciprocal tariffs on India from 25 percent to 18 percent.
The announcement followed a telephone conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Trump, the deal came after India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers against US goods, and pledge to buy an additional US$500 billion worth of American energy, technology, agricultural products, coal and other items over time.
After the deal was announced, Graham praised India’s decision and supported the reduced tariffs.
“Well played, President Trump. I think your message about ending this war — Putin’s customers who support his war machine need to be recalculated — is working,” he said on X.
“By their behavior, India has achieved more than this reduction. I hope that other major countries that buy Russian will follow India’s lead.”
Graham said the pressure on Moscow to bring Putin to talks should be increased.
“Putin will only come to the table when the pain is too great. We are not there yet, but we are getting closer with India’s move. Stop the bloodshed in Ukraine now,” he said.
