Russian President Vladimir Putin used his latest interview to sharply criticise what he called Washington’s “double standards” on energy sanctions, arguing that if the United States can continue to buy fuel from Russia, India should not be pressured to stop doing the same.
Putin pointed out that the US — despite publicly urging India and other countries to curtail energy imports from Moscow — remains one of Russia’s biggest nuclear-fuel customers. He noted that uranium exports to America power its nuclear reactors and constitute a major revenue source for Rosatom, with Russia expected to earn around $1.2 billion from uranium sales to the US this year.
The Russian president made the argument a matter of fairness, saying that India deserves equal treatment if Washington insists on keeping its own energy channels with Moscow open. He stressed that this will be part of his discussions with President Trump.
Putin also reiterated that Russia’s energy partnership with India remains “steady, reliable, and unaffected” by sanctions or geopolitical turbulence. This comes at a time when the Trump administration has increased tariff pressure on India for buying discounted Russian crude — even though American industries continue to benefit from crucial imports of Russian uranium and palladium.
Over the course of the interview, Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and economic vision, calling him a “reliable” partner who “lives and breathes India.” He said the ‘Make in India’ initiative has deepened long-term bilateral cooperation, especially in defence and high-technology sectors.
On the war in Ukraine, Putin repeated Moscow’s long-standing position that Kyiv initiated the conflict under Western influence, and asserted that Russia would continue military operations until its strategic goals are met.
Putin arrived in New Delhi for a two-day state visit aimed at signing new agreements in defence, trade, energy and technology — signalling that the India-Russia partnership remains central to Moscow’s global calculus despite ongoing Western sanctions.
