Donald Trump said yesterday on Wednesday that the Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modipromised him that New Delhi will stop buying Russian oilafter the US president imposed punitive customs duties on Indian goods imported into the US market.

“I was annoyed that India is buying (Russian) oil and today it assured me that it will no longer buy oil from Russia”the Republican said in the Oval Office, answering a question from the press.

“This is a big step forward. Now, I have to convince China to do the same.”he added.

The American president also noted that “you can’t do it right away. It’s a process, it takes some time, but soon it will be over.”

New Delhi has not confirmed so far.

Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Modi on Saturday met the new US ambassador to India, Mr. Sergio Gorean entourage of President Trump, a few hours after his arrival in the capital of the Asian giant.

The US president on August 27 imposed additional tariffs of 50% on Indian goods exported to the US as punishment for India’s purchases of Russian oil, which Washington says is financing the war started by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine in February 2022.

The US is India’s largest trading partner.

The US president’s statements are being recorded, while tomorrow Friday he is expected to welcome Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House. This will be the third visit of the Ukrainian president to Washington after returning to the presidency Donald Trump.

Ukraine suffers a new series of Russian strikes against energy infrastructure.

Mr Trump said on Sunday he could threaten him Vladimir Putin how he will send US-made Tomahawk missiles to the Ukrainian army if Moscow does not end the war.

Asked about it yesterday, he said that the Ukrainian president wants to “go on the attack” and added that he intends to “make a decision on this matter” soon.