India becomes Ukraine’s top diesel supplier in July as Trump slaps punitive tariffs on Delhi over Russian oil imports
India has overtaken other suppliers to become Ukraine’s largest source of diesel in July 2025, accounting for 15.5 per cent of imports. According to NaftoRynok, a Ukrainian oil market analytics firm, daily shipments averaged 2,700 tonnes, among India’s highest monthly export figures this year. The sharp rise marks a dramatic shift from July 2024, when India supplied just 1.9 per cent of Ukraine’s diesel needs.
The development comes at a politically charged moment. Washington recently imposed steep 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The irony is striking. While the US punishes India for its energy ties with Moscow, Indian fuel is simultaneously helping to sustain Kyiv’s wartime economy.
Indian-origin diesel is reaching Ukraine through multiple channels. A significant portion arrives via tanker deliveries along the Danube from Romania. Additionally, cargo is routed through the OPET terminal in Turkey’s Marmara Ereğlisi port, a pathway that continues to operate despite partial sanctions. These routes have enabled India to establish itself as a reliable supplier even under complex geopolitical conditions.
From January to July 2025, India supplied 10.2 per cent of Ukraine’s diesel imports, a fivefold increase from 1.9 per cent during the same period last year. While India’s share is now higher than that of several European partners, its physical export volumes still trail behind those from Greece and Turkey. Nevertheless, July’s figures place India ahead of all competitors in proportional terms.
Despite India topping the charts in July, other suppliers remain important. Diesel from Greece and Turkey remained substantial, though Slovakian deliveries outpaced both. Supplies from Poland and Lithuania’s Orlen Group together accounted for about 20 per cent of total imports. Meanwhile, Swedish exports from Preem’s facilities, routed via Poland and Denmark, hit record levels since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, contributing 4 per cent of July’s imports.
