MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of attempting to block India and other partner countries from purchasing Russian oil, alleging that Washington is using sanctions, tariffs, and direct prohibitions to push its own energy exports and secure economic dominance.
Speaking in an interview with TV BRICS, Lavrov said there were active efforts to prevent India and others from accessing what he described as “cheap, affordable Russian energy resources”, while forcing countries to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) at significantly higher prices. His remarks were reported by Sputnik.
Lavrov’s comments come at a time when India has reiterated that its energy decisions are guided solely by national interest, amid reports suggesting a possible recalibration of Russian oil imports. New Delhi has maintained that affordability, availability, and reliability remain the cornerstones of its energy policy.
Referring to earlier diplomatic engagements, Lavrov recalled discussions with the US on resolving the Ukraine conflict and said Moscow had accepted a proposal put forward during talks held in Anchorage last year.
“They (the US) tell us that the Ukraine problem should be resolved. In Anchorage, we accepted the US proposal… The US position was important to us. By accepting their proposal, we seem to have completed the task of resolving the Ukrainian issue and moving on to a dull-scale, broad-based and mutually beneficial cooperation. So far, the reality is quite the opposite,” he said.
Lavrov alleged that instead of cooperation, Washington had intensified pressure on Russia through new sanctions and restrictions on maritime trade.
“New sanctions are imposed; a ‘war’ against tankers in the open sea is being waged in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They are trying to ban India and our other partners from buying cheap, affordable Russian energy resources (Europe has long been banned) and are forcing them to buy US LNG at exorbitant prices,” he added.
The Russian foreign minister claimed that the US was seeking to control global energy routes as part of a broader strategy to dominate international markets.
Describing Washington’s approach as coercive, Lavrov said the use of tariffs, sanctions, and direct prohibitions ran counter to the principles of fair competition.
Calling for continued engagement despite tensions, he said Russia remained open to cooperation with major economies.
“We have to take all of this into account while remaining open, just like India, China, Indonesia and Brazil, to cooperation with all countries, including major powers such as the United States. We are in a situation where the Americans themselves are creating artificial obstacles along the way,” he said.
Agencies