Earlier this week, Trump had indicated he had received assurances from India regarding the reduction in Russian oil imports, acknowledging that the transition would not be immediate. “He assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia…It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon,” Trump remarked, suggesting that this move would facilitate the resolution of the ongoing conflict. He further suggested that India would resume purchases from Russia only after the conflict concludes.

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘great man’ and India as ‘an incredible country,’ Trump’s comments come at a time of crucial trade negotiations between the US and India. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has officially denied any recent telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump concerning this matter. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that a previous statement on the energy issue should be referred to, and explicitly stated, “As for the telephonic conversation, I can say that there has been no discussion between the Prime Minister and President Trump”.

While India has increased its imports of Russian oil in recent years, China remains Russia’s largest energy customer. Notably, during the Trump administration, tariffs were imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, while China faced no such measures. The current trade talks in Washington coincide with the new US ambassador to India’s recent meetings with top Indian officials, highlighting the ongoing strategic dialogue.

Zelensky conveyed his hope to Trump that this Middle East success could pave the way for peace in Ukraine. He shared details about Russia’s persistent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and expressed gratitude for Trump’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. The leaders reportedly discussed enhancing Ukraine’s air defense systems, with Zelensky noting the availability of concrete strategies and robust ideas to bolster the nation’s security. He stressed the necessity of Russia demonstrating a genuine willingness for diplomacy, which he believes can be fostered through strength.

The Ukrainian President posted on social media, describing the call as ‘very positive and productive.’ He acknowledged Trump’s success in securing the Middle East deal as an ‘outstanding achievement’ and drew a parallel, stating, ‘If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well, including the Russian war.’ The conversation underscored a shared desire for peace and a willingness to explore new avenues to achieve it.

Zelensky indicated that proposing talks in Moscow suggests Russia’s lack of interest in peace negotiations. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is advocating for a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin, and the two leaders met in Alaska last month to discuss the possibility of such a meeting.