Will India keep buying Russian oil amid war? Here's what Jaishankar told Zelenskyy

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war and strengthen bilateral ties. He defended India's continued purchase of Russian oil when asked about the issue.Speaking during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday, Jaishankar acknowledged Ukraine's concerns over India's oil purchases but stressed that New Delhi also has legitimate energy requirements, particularly given the challenges of supplying 1.4 billion people."The reason for the question. I get that but I think it's very important that all of you get the challenges of providing for energy for 1.4 billion people at a time when the world energy situation is very, very difficult," Jaishankar said in a joint press statement alongside Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha after their talks.Jaishankar said India respects Ukraine's position and expects its own perspective to be respected as well. "But let me just add this. You know, this conflict, which is today in its fifth year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals or fertiliser."He said the Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its fifth year with fighting continuing despite international efforts to broker peace, will ultimately require dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations to reach a resolution. "This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation, and that is why it is something we would encourage.""India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield," Jaishankar said. He pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks two days earlier during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, where PM said the prolonged cycle of war must now make way for an end to hostilities.India has faced criticism from the US and European countries over its purchases of Russian crude since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that securing affordable and reliable energy supplies for its citizens is a key responsibility.JAISHANKAR MEETS ZELENSKYY IN KYIVDuring his Ukraine visit, Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The discussions focused on efforts to end the war and strengthen bilateral ties. Jaishankar said he briefed Zelenskyy on his discussions with Sybiha about expanding India-Ukraine cooperation."Pleased to call on President @ZelenskyyUa today #Ukraine. Apprised him of discussions with FM @andrii_sybiha on deepening our bilateral cooperation. Our conversation centred on approaches to end the ongoing conflict," he wrote on X.ZELENSKYY THANKS INDIA FOR SUPPORT"We are grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war – Russia's war against Ukraine. This certainly must not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India’s clear position," Zelenskyy wrote.Zelenskyy also said Russia launched jet-powered Shahed drones while the Indian delegation was in Kyiv, claiming the drones were developed with Iran's assistance. He said Ukrainian combat aviation and fighter jets intercepted most of them, keeping the Indian delegation safe. A screen grab of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's post on X. India has consistently called for an end to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, while maintaining its independent position on energy imports and its broader relations with both Moscow and Kyiv.- EndsPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 3, 2026 21:08 IST