Despite the White House’s pressure, Hungary will not stop importing Russian oil and gas, according to Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. Szijjártó stated that without Russian supplies, Hungary’s energy security cannot be guaranteed due to existing infrastructure constraints. This stance aligns with former President Donald Trump’s demands that NATO allies cease buying Russian oil as a condition for further sanctions. Hungary, along with Slovakia, has resisted calls from European leaders to halt energy imports, with its prime minister, Viktor Orbán, being a close ally of Trump.
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The European Union is reportedly preparing trade measures to potentially halt Russian oil imports through the Druzhba pipeline, the primary crude supply route for Hungary and Slovakia. These measures, unlike sanctions, would bypass the need for unanimous approval, thus circumventing potential resistance from these countries. This move aligns with the EU’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, a goal also encouraged by the US. Hungary and Slovakia are currently the only EU nations still importing Russian pipeline oil, while Czechia recently ended its imports.
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The European Commission, under pressure from the U.S. President, will propose an accelerated phase-out of Russian energy purchases, going beyond its initial plan to cease purchases by 2027. This announcement followed a phone call focused on increasing economic pressure on Russia. The Commission is also preparing to present a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s crypto, banks, and energy sectors. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been pushing for tougher sanctions, including tariffs on China and India, the leading buyers of Russian oil, in an attempt to push Russia to the negotiating table.
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On September 13th, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated he would impose “major” sanctions on Russia if all NATO members ceased buying Russian oil. He also proposed that NATO members place tariffs ranging from 50-100% on China to further pressure Russia, emphasizing the importance of China’s influence. While Trump has previously threatened sanctions, he has been slow to enact them, although he did implement a tariff on India. Despite condemnation from Brussels, some European nations continue to rely on Russian oil imports, highlighting the complexities of reducing dependence on Russian energy sources.
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On September 7th, Ukrainian forces conducted strikes on the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai and the “8-N” oil pipeline control station in Bryansk Oblast, both crucial for supplying fuel to Russian troops. These attacks, carried out by various branches of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, targeted facilities within Russia’s energy infrastructure as part of an effort to undermine Moscow’s war financing. The “8-N” control station, part of a strategically important pipeline, and the Ilsky refinery, a major fuel producer, were both significantly impacted, with fires reported at each location. These strikes are part of a larger pattern of intensified Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, with over a dozen refineries being targeted in recent months.
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According to the Ukrainian ambassador to India, Ukraine understands India’s need to defend its national interests regarding Russian oil purchases and is not pressuring New Delhi. He stated any issues arising from this can be discussed bilaterally, highlighting the regular communication between leaders. Despite tensions, discussions on the matter are seen as akin to family matters, solvable through negotiation. Additionally, the ambassador confirmed ongoing efforts to schedule a visit by President Zelenskyy to India and noted the lack of clarity on potential peace negotiations between Zelenskyy and Putin.
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According to sources, the White House has requested that European nations impose sanctions on India mirroring those of the US, specifically halting oil and gas purchases from India and levying secondary tariffs. This follows India’s objections to US tariffs on its Russian crude oil purchases and accusations of Western hypocrisy, given that other countries are also buying oil from Moscow. The US claims India is funding Russia’s war in Ukraine, and White House officials are reportedly frustrated with European leaders who they believe are secretly undermining efforts to end the conflict by pushing for unrealistic territorial concessions for Ukraine. Discussions on the matter are expected at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
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Reliance Industries, owned by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has reportedly earned over €724 million from exporting fuel refined from Russian oil to the US in 2024. This activity has raised concerns, with US officials claiming India has become a financial resource for Russia’s war effort, despite Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Reliance purchases discounted Russian crude, refines it at its Jamnagar complex, and then exports the finished products, a practice that has allowed the company to significantly increase revenue, with Russian crude now accounting for approximately 30% of its processing. The US and EU are considering measures to close the loophole that allows these exports, while Reliance continues to operate with significant profit.
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Former President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on most US imports from India, following through on threats related to India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil. This action, which adds to existing 25% tariffs, risks damaging the Indian economy and disrupting global supply chains. In response, India’s government has refused to halt oil purchases and has encouraged citizens to buy domestic goods, potentially leading to closer ties with Russia and China. Economists predict this will reduce India’s GDP. The US has not taken similar action against China, a major purchaser of Russian oil, nor has it taken similar actions against other countries.
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Indian refineries are preparing to slightly decrease their purchases of Russian crude oil in the coming weeks due to increasing pressure from the United States. This reduction, which will lower daily purchases from 1.8 million barrels to 1.4-1.6 million barrels, comes as a response to threats of increased U.S. tariffs on Indian imports. Although the U.S. has criticized India’s significant increase in Russian oil imports since 2022, no additional sanctions have yet been imposed despite previous threats. This move is seen as a symbolic gesture to Washington, rather than a complete severing of economic ties with Moscow.
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John Q. Hosedrinker