India has unexpectedly become Ukraine’s largest source of diesel fuel, even as Washington penalises New Delhi with steep tariffs over its continued imports of Russian crude oil.
India’s Growing Role in Ukraine’s Fuel Market
Data from Ukrainian oil analytics firm NaftoRynok shows India accounted for 15.5 percent of Ukraine’s diesel imports in July 2025, averaging 2,700 tons per day. This made India Ukraine’s top supplier for the month, ahead of Slovakia, Greece, Turkey, and Lithuania.
Between January and July, India supplied 10.2 percent of Ukraine’s diesel demand, a sharp jump from just 1.9 percent in the same period last year.
How the Diesel Reaches Ukraine
Most of the shipments reportedly arrive through Romania’s Danube ports and Turkey’s Opet terminal. Analysts suggest some of the diesel may have been refined from Russian-origin crude, though official confirmation is lacking.
Other Suppliers Still in the Mix
In July, Slovakia contributed 15 percent of Ukraine’s diesel imports, Greece 13.5 percent, Turkey 12.4 percent, and Lithuania 11.4 percent. Despite these contributions, India’s sudden surge in exports has set it apart.
Tariff Clash With Washington
The rise in India’s exports to Ukraine comes as trade tensions with the United States escalate. On August 6, President Donald Trump signed an order doubling tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, targeting New Delhi’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. A further 25 percent levy was imposed later in the month.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described India as “recalcitrant” in talks, while New Delhi dismissed the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” pledging to defend its economic interests.
The Geopolitical Irony
The situation underlines a striking contradiction. Washington is punishing India for buying Russian crude, yet Ukraine, which relies heavily on Western support, is being kept afloat with diesel refined in India, possibly from that very crude. In practice, the sanctions are squeezing India while its fuel continues to power Ukraine’s war-hit economy.
