After an official in New Delhi indicated the country would be “glad” to accept the offer, Washington encouraged India not to follow ahead with a plan to buy discounted Russian crude oil, claiming that doing so would amount to backing Moscow’s “leadership” amid its military incursion in Ukraine.
When asked about recent reports that India might accept a Russian proposal for cheaper crude, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that nations should consider their historical roles when dealing with Moscow during its attack on Ukraine, though she added that the move would not be subject to Western economic sanctions, according to RT.
“Obviously, abide with the sanctions,” she added, adding, “I don’t think this would be violating [the sanctions], but think about where you want to stand when the history books are written in this moment in time.” And backing the Russian government means backing an invasion that is clearly wreaking havoc.”
“And support for Russian leadership is support for an invasion that is clearly having a disastrous impact,” the press secretary continued.
Russia has already asked India to increase its investments in the sanctioned country’s oil and gas sector, as well as to develop Russian companies’ sales networks in Asia’s third-largest economy.
Russia’s economy is in its worst state since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, as the West implements harsh sanctions in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
