‘Buying or not buying Russian oil won’t solve Ukraine crisis’: Jaishankar says India needs to take care of energy needs

• Jaishankar said India’s Russian oil purchases are not the key to ending the Ukraine conflict.

• He stressed India’s responsibility to meet the energy needs of 1.4 billion citizens.

• India continues to advocate dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation as the path to peace.

• Jaishankar said India is willing to help if it can contribute to ending the war.

• Volodymyr Zelensky thanked India for supporting efforts toward peace.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Thursday said India’s decision to buy or not buy Russian oil would not determine the resolution of the war in Ukraine, stressing that the conflict can only be settled through diplomacy and negotiations.

Jaishankar made the remarks in Kyiv after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. His comments came in response to a media question on Ukraine’s concerns over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil despite the ongoing war.

The minister said India understands Ukraine’s position but also has to secure energy supplies for a population of 1.4 billion people. He noted that the global energy environment remains difficult and that India’s circumstances should be recognised by other countries as well.

Jaishankar said Ukraine has its own perspective on the matter, which India respects. At the same time, he added, India also expects its position to be understood, given the scale of its energy requirements and the pressures facing global markets.

He further argued that the war, now in its fifth year, would not be resolved simply because one country chooses to buy or stop buying oil, minerals, metals or fertilisers from Russia. According to him, the path to ending the conflict lies in dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation rather than trade decisions alone.

The External Affairs Minister said India has consistently encouraged peaceful engagement between the parties. He reiterated that New Delhi believes talks remain the most effective route to ending the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

During his visit, Jaishankar also said India is prepared to assist efforts aimed at bringing the war to a close. Speaking to reporters alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, he said India would be ready to help “in any manner” if such a role is considered useful.

His remarks indicated that New Delhi remains open to supporting diplomatic efforts, including mediation, while maintaining its independent position on energy purchases and wider foreign policy choices.

Jaishankar also said that attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea were among the issues discussed during his meeting with Sybiha. The Black Sea has remained a major area of concern during the conflict because of its importance to trade, shipping and food supply routes.

Ukrainian President Zelensky, meanwhile, expressed appreciation for India’s support in efforts to end what he described as Russia’s unjust war against Ukraine. In a post on X, Zelensky said he had discussed important issues with Jaishankar and thanked India for its desire to see the conflict brought to an end.

Zelensky said peace was necessary and described that as India’s clear position. He also stated that the current period should not be defined by war.

India has maintained that diplomacy and dialogue are essential for resolving the Ukraine conflict, even as it continues to manage its relations with both Kyiv and Moscow. Jaishankar’s remarks in Kyiv reflected New Delhi’s attempt to balance its energy security concerns with its stated support for peace and negotiations.

The visit also underlined India’s willingness to remain engaged with Ukraine at a high diplomatic level while defending its national interest in securing affordable and reliable energy supplies for its people.