S. Jaishankar meets Zelenskyy and defends Russian oil imports

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and food security. During the discussions, Zelenskyy expressed concerns regarding India's continued purchase of Russian oil.

Jaishankar defended India's energy policies, stating that providing fuel for a population of 1.4 billion people is a significant challenge that the country cannot ignore. He emphasized that India will not change its policies under external pressure.

Addressing the efficacy of economic sanctions, Jaishankar argued that the war, now entering its fifth year, will not end simply by restricting the trade of oil, minerals, metals, or fertilizers. He maintained that a resolution can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation, rather than through economic warfare or battlefield combat.