Ukraine on Monday announced it will restrict its diesel imports from India from October 1, and it will be subjected to additional checks as New Delhi purchases a major portion of its crude oil from Russia. Ukraine's move comes a month after it purchased 18 per cent of its total diesel imports from India.
According to Enkorr, a Ukraine-based energy agency, imports of diesel fuel from India to Ukraine will be restricted, and all batches of Indian fuel must undergo a selection procedure and laboratory analysis of samples. Fuel imported from India will undergo thorough checks for Russian components, it said.
Ukraine's fresh restriction comes a month after it made its highest purchase of diesel from India, 119,000 tons, amounting to 18 per cent of its total diesel imports in August.
"Large volumes were purchased from India not because there was no other product on the market, but because Indian fuel was cheaper. The market will adjust to other directions and prices," an oil terminal operator told Enkorr.
According to Ukrainian energy consulting agency A-95, Ukraine made large purchases following Russian attacks on Ukrainian oil refineries.
According to Reuters, the Ukrainian defence ministry also bought some Indian fuel as it met post-Soviet standards.
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Russia has been attacking Ukrainian oil refineries and fuel storage facilities with drones and missiles. Ukrainian restrictions come as India is grappling with high tariffs imposed by the US on its imports, over its oil and defence imports from Russia.
US President Donald Trump and his administration have accused India of fueling Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine by purchasing cheap Russian oil. Trump has called for additional sanctions on India, in a move to shrink Russian trade, thereby forcing Moscow to halt its military operation against Ukraine.