File photo of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. | Photo credit: Reuters
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday (Feb 18, 2026) said there was “no reason” to believe that India has changed its stance on buying Russian oil, saying it would be beneficial for both countries and would maintain stability in the global hydrocarbons market.
The comments gained prominence in the wake of Washington’s claim that New Delhi had agreed to stop importing Russian crude oil.
“We have no reason to believe that India has changed its stance on buying Russian hydrocarbons. India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons will benefit both countries and help maintain stability in the international energy market,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at her weekly briefing.
“There is nothing new in the claims of US President Donald Trump, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that they have usurped the right to dictate to independent countries,” said Ms. Zakharova.
Following a recent phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump, both sides announced a reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%.
The reduction also includes the removal of the 25% tariff that Trump imposed on India in August last year for buying Russian oil.
Last week, Mr. Rubio said India was committed to ending purchases of Russian oil, days after New Delhi reiterated that “national interests” are the “guiding factor” for India’s energy procurement.
Announcing the trade deal with New Delhi in early February, Trump also claimed that India had agreed not to source crude oil from Russia.
India is yet to confirm or deny Washington’s claim that it is committed to halting purchases of Russian crude oil.
Earlier, too, Russia had accused the US of trying to prevent India and other countries from buying Russian oil, saying Washington was using a range of “coercive” measures, including tariffs, sanctions and outright embargoes.
In her strongly worded statement, Ms. Zakharova also criticized the Ukrainian regime’s European allies, saying they did not want a peace settlement.
Published – February 19, 2026 05:02 am IST
