Ukraine restricts diesel fuel imports from India over Russian oil ties
- Ukraine plans to limit diesel imports from India due to its Russian oil purchases.
- The SBU security service has mandated testing of Indian diesel imports to exclude Russian crude.
- This policy shift reflects Ukraine's efforts to sever ties with Russian energy and illustrates the complex geopolitical implications of India’s actions.
Ukraine announced that starting October 1, 2025, it will limit its imports of diesel fuel from India due to concerns regarding India’s ongoing purchases of discounted Russian crude oil. The policy change was communicated through the SBU security service and impacts Ukraine’s dependence on diesel imports, which previously came significantly from Russia and Belarus prior to the 2022 invasion. After military actions severely affected Ukraine’s own fuel production, imports from India became a crucial supply source. The announcement follows a broader pattern where Ukraine is tightening its energy sourcing to avoid any supplies linked to Russia. In June 2025, major airstrikes led to further disruptions in Ukraine’s oil production capabilities, particularly at the Kremenchuk refinery, which has suffered multiple attacks since the start of the war. The Kremenchuk facility was partially dependent on Azerbaijani crude, which further complicates Ukraine’s energy landscape as negotiations for gas imports from Azerbaijan are ongoing amidst regional tensions. On a related note, India's burgeoning ties with Russia through military cooperation and continued oil purchases cast a shadow over its relationship with the European Union. The EU, which is India's largest trading partner, has expressed concerns that India's actions undermine efforts to foster closer diplomatic ties. European officials have pointed to these factors as significant barriers to the deepening of India-EU relations, highlighting the delicate balance New Delhi must maintain between its international alliances and domestic economic interests. While India has been ramping up its diesel supply to Ukraine, the newly imposed restrictions underscore the geopolitical complexities at play in energy sourcing. As Ukraine pivots away from Russian energy, the relationship with India becomes increasingly tenuous, especially with future negotiations for free trade agreements set against the backdrop of differing foreign policies towards Russia. Both the EU and Ukraine are closely monitoring this situation as it evolves, particularly given the connection between military cooperation, energy dependence, and geopolitical strategy.