Indian diesel emerged as the top supply source for Kiev in July last month
International News: In an interesting twist in the global energy market, India has become Ukraine's largest diesel supplier, even though the US has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India for importing Russian crude oil. According to Ukrainian oil market analysis firm Naftorynok, India provided 15.5 per cent of Ukraine's total diesel imports in July 2025, more than any other country. Daily deliveries averaged 2,700 tonnes, making it one of India's strongest export months this year. According to media reports, India's share of diesel supplies to Ukraine reached 10.2 percent between January and July 2025, up from just 1.9 percent in the same period of 2024. This increase reflects India's refining capacity and the complexities of the global energy business.
According to experts, a portion of these exports may be diesel refined from Russian-origin crude, although official figures are kept secret. Other major suppliers in July included Slovakia (15 percent), Greece (13.5 percent), Turkey (12.4 percent) and Lithuania (11.4 percent), but India's growth rate set it apart.
Indian fuel arrived in Ukraine mainly via tanker shipments from Romania via the Danube River, as well as through Turkey's Opet terminal. These routes are playing a vital role in powering Ukraine's war-torn economy. Analysts at Naftorinok said these supplies are powering Ukrainian cities, highlighting an irony of global geopolitics.
The development comes amid rising trade tensions between New Delhi and Washington. On August 6, President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian imports, taking the total tariff to 50 per cent. The additional 25 per cent came into effect on August 27. Trump cited India's purchase of cheap Russian crude oil as the reason, while calling both India and Russia "dead economies".
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant later described India as "somewhat belligerent" in trade talks. However, New Delhi called the tariffs "unfair, disproportionate and unfair", and promised to take necessary steps to protect its economic interests.
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