India won’t buy Russian oil? Putin aide counters US; mocks Trump, Rubio with ‘right to dictate’ jibe

Russia has pushed back against U.S. claims that India has agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil. Responding to remarks attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova said there is “no reason to believe” that India has changed its position on buying Russian hydrocarbons. Zakharova emphasised that India’s stance has been clearly and repeatedly articulated by its leadership. She stated that New Delhi makes sovereign decisions guided exclusively by its national interests and commercial considerations. Moscow, she added, sees no grounds to assume that India has revised its approach and remains ready to continue close energy cooperation. Taking a swipe at Washington, Zakharova said there is “nothing new” in the claims by Trump and Rubio, accusing them of having “grabbed the right to dictate to independent nations.”