New Delhi: India has emerged as the top diesel supplier to war-torn Ukraine in the month of July 2025, as per Ukrainian oil market analytics firm NaftoRynok. The development comes amid the steep 50 percent tariffs the US administration has imposed on India on account of India buying discounted Russian oil.
As per the oil firm, India accounted for 15.5 percent of the total diesel import of Ukraine in the month of July. The monthly figure is high for any other country, averaging over 2700 tons of diesel shipment.
India’s Diesel exports to War-Torn Ukraine
From the time period between January and July 2025, the share of Indian diesel in Ukrainian imports rose to 10.2 percent, witnessing a drastic uptrend from 1.9 percent recorded in the same time period in 2024.
The diesel reportedly shifted to Ukraine from multiple routes. The two important routes to mention are tanker deliveries through the waterways of the Danube from Romania and the other being through the OPET terminal in Marmara Ereğlisi port, Turkey, despite the sanctions.
The other major suppliers of diesel to Ukraine are Slovakia with 15 percent of diesel exports, Greece with 13.5 percent, Turkey with 12.4 percent, and Lithuania with 11.4 percent. However, the Indian diesel topped the import chart with 15.5 percent in July.
Indian Diesel and Ukrainian Economy
The irony can be drawn here as Washington is punishing India with tariffs, whereas Indian diesel is running the distorted economy of Ukraine. US sanctions are targeting Indian exports, while Ukraine is running on exported refined diesel from India.
India is currently reeling under pressure with steep American tariffs over securing its energy dependence. India in the past had acceded to the American pressure by not buying oil from Iran and Venezuela. However, this time India has stood its ground by not reeling under pressure and trying to diversifying its energy import basket and export diversification