Western Hypocrisy Exposed: Europe and US Trade with Russia While Criticizing India

National News: Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, several Western nations—particularly the United States and the European Union (EU)—have repeatedly criticized India for purchasing oil and gas from Russia. They have continued to pressure India to stop its energy trade with Moscow and align with Western-imposed sanctions. However, there's a striking irony behind this criticism: these same countries continue to conduct significant trade with Russia, especially in energy and critical resources. The gap between what they preach and what they practice is becoming increasingly obvious.

Europe’s Growing Dependence on Russian Energy 

Recent data has exposed the double standards of European nations. According to figures from July 2025, there has been a 37% increase in pipeline gas supplied from Russia to various European countries. This clearly indicates that instead of reducing their reliance on Russian energy, European countries have increased their dependency. Despite public claims of cutting back on Russian imports, the actual numbers tell a different story. The apparent decline seen in official data is largely due to payment-related challenges and transaction delays—not a genuine reduction in trade.

India’s Practical and Balanced Foreign Policy Approach

The Indian government has taken a measured and pragmatic approach to the issue. Both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Energy have access to comprehensive data regarding global energy markets. That’s why when the European Union proposed new sanctions on energy imports from Russia, India did not respond with alarm. Indian officials understand that such sanctions would only destabilize the global energy market further, causing ripple effects not just in developing nations but also in the Western economies. India believes that when it comes to national energy security, practicality must take precedence over rhetoric.

Billions Paid to Russia: The Hidden Reality Uncovered by Report

An eye-opening report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has confirmed that, despite the war, European countries have continued to import Russian energy. According to the report, the European Union has paid Russia $105.6 billion for energy supplies since the war began—an amount that covers approximately 76% of Russia’s annual military budget. This indicates that Europe’s actions do not match its tough talk on sanctions. While they speak of isolating Russia economically, their energy needs have made true disengagement nearly impossible, revealing a clear double standard.

Soaring Demand for Russian LNG: No Viable Alternatives for Europe

Europe's energy dependence goes beyond just oil and pipeline gas—it also includes liquefied natural gas (LNG). Reports show that 87% of Russia’s LNG exports went to countries like Spain, Belgium, and France. For example, France’s imports of Russian LNG rose by 47%, while the Netherlands saw an 81% increase. In just the first half of 2025, two European countries paid $8.5 billion to import LNG from Russia. These numbers clearly demonstrate that European nations have no real alternative to Russian LNG, even if they avoid acknowledging this publicly.

India's Firm Response to Unfair US Criticism

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized India’s energy trade with Russia, labeling it as unfair and inconsistent with American strategic interests. The Indian government swiftly rejected the statement, calling it misinformed and unjustified. Indian officials argued that Trump lacked awareness of the global energy landscape and was also unfamiliar with his own country’s trade practices. When questioned whether the U.S. continues to import critical minerals and nuclear fuel from Russia, Trump simply replied, “I’m not aware of it,” which only highlighted the lack of factual understanding behind his claims.

India Holds Up a Mirror to U.S. Double Standards

Responding to these comments, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reminded the United States that it too continues to import key materials from Russia. These include uranium hexafluoride for nuclear power plants, palladium for electric vehicles, and fertilizers essential for agriculture. This clearly shows that while the U.S. conducts its own energy trade with Russia, it expects India to cut ties—a clear case of hypocrisy. India has called this double standard unacceptable, asserting that national interest must remain the top priority, especially in matters as critical as energy security.