Russia- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Washington’s threats toward India and China over their continued purchase of Russian oil will not succeed, calling such rhetoric ineffective against what he described as “ancient civilizations” unwilling to bow to ultimatums.
Speaking on Russia’s Channel 1 program The Great Game, Lavrov criticized U.S. President Donald Trump and senior officials for pressuring New Delhi and Beijing to cut ties with Russian energy markets. He said the U.S. approach is pushing countries to diversify their trade and seek out new markets, rather than comply. “To use this language — either stop doing what I don’t like, or I’ll impose tariffs on you — well, that won’t work,” Lavrov said.
In recent weeks, Trump has accused India of “funding the war in Ukraine” through oil purchases from Russia, a claim Indian officials firmly deny. India has repeatedly defended its energy imports, describing U.S. criticism as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and insisting its decisions are driven by national interest and market realities.
Lavrov also dismissed the impact of potential new sanctions, noting Russia had already endured unprecedented measures during Trump’s first term and later under Joe Biden. He argued that sanctions had replaced diplomacy in the West’s toolkit, leaving little room for compromise or constructive engagement.
Although Trump has yet to impose tariffs on China for its Russian oil imports, his administration has signaled it is considering such measures. Lavrov’s comments underscore Moscow’s confidence that India and China will resist U.S. pressure, while deepening their economic and energy cooperation with Russia.