India on Friday pushed back strongly after the European Union imposed fresh sanctions targeting Russian oil exports — a move that, for the first time, included Nayara Energy's refinery in Gujarat's Vadinar. The plant, partly owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft, is now in the geopolitical crosshairs of Brussels and Moscow, raising concerns over energy security and operational stability.
--------------------
India Slams Sanctions: 'No Double Standards'
"Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens. We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade," foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, in response to the sanctions. India also made it clear that it "does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to our legal obligations."
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had framed the move as a historic first. "For the first time, we’re designating a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India," she was quoted as saying by news agencies.
The EU sanctions aim to restrict funds to Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine, with a specific focus on tightening the existing $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil. The revised framework will now include a graded pricing band, as falling oil prices had made the cap less effective in recent months.
The curbs also include sanctions on 105 “off-radar” oil tankers, raising the total to 223 from a known fleet of about 400 vessels — further limiting Moscow’s ability to circumvent the cap using shadow shipping networks.
--------------------
Trump’s Russia Pivot: Geopolitical Shift In Washington
The sanctions against Nayara Energy come amid a shifting geopolitical climate in Washington, where US President Donald Trump has taken a noticeably tougher stance on Russia. In a BBC interview this week, Trump expressed frustration with President Vladimir Putin, saying he was “disappointed in” the Russian leader, though added that he was “not [yet] done with him.” Pressed on whether he still trusted Putin, Trump replied he trusted “almost nobody.”
Earlier the same day, Trump had announced plans to send weapons to Ukraine and warned of steep tariffs on Moscow if no ceasefire agreement was reached within 50 days. The twin threats mark a sharp pivot from his earlier comments in May, when Trump called Putin a “nice gentleman” and, on several occasions, appeared to defend him. Now, with the clock ticking, Trump seems eager to portray himself as the man who can end the Ukraine war — and perhaps claim a Nobel Peace Prize in the process.
The shift has also given fresh hope to NATO. Trump, who once derided the Western military alliance as “obsolete,” used the same interview to offer his endorsement of NATO — a move seen as a lifeline by anxious European allies worried about his commitment to the bloc’s collective defence clause, Article 5.
--------------------
NATO Chief Warns India, China, Brazil Of Consequences
Almost on cue, NATO’s new secretary general, Mark Rutte, delivered a stern message to India, China, and Brazil: doing business with Russia may have consequences. “If they continue to buy their oil and gas, they could be hit very hard,” Rutte said, urging these nations to pressure Putin into pursuing peace. “Tell him he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way.”
Trump’s apparent hardening towards Putin is seen as a reaction to Russia’s growing demands. Moscow reportedly wants to retain occupied Ukrainian territories, block Kyiv from joining NATO, and remove President Zelenskyy from power — conditions that may have gone too far even for Trump. For a man eager to prove he can out-negotiate world leaders, the lack of tangible concessions from Putin could be a blow to his ego.
--------------------
EU Targets Indian Refinery In Symbolic Blow To Kremlin
Meanwhile, Putin shows no signs of backing down. The EU’s expanded sanctions — including targeting Indian refineries that process Russian crude — appear designed to corner the Kremlin further by undercutting its relationships with key Global South economies. For Europe, it’s both a symbolic and tactical move to limit Putin’s options and revenue streams.
Rosneft acquired the Vadinar refinery and associated assets from Essar Oil in 2017 for $12.9 billion, in partnership with commodities trader Trafigura and Russian investment firm United Capital Partners (UCP). Rosneft holds a 49.1% stake. The refinery has a capacity of 20 million tonnes per annum but relies heavily on exports to Europe and Africa, as Nayara’s domestic retail footprint — comprising 6,750 fuel stations — is relatively modest.
--------------------
Vadinar Becomes Test Case For India’s Geopolitical Balancing
Информация по комментариям в разработке