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China, India, Russia Key to Iran War's End, US Warns
Confirmed
In Short: China and India are pivotal in the US strategy to curb Russian oil exports, with China purchasing about half of Russian crude oil exports and India buying 37 percent, according to recent data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
The US Congress has passed the 'Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026,' designed to target Russia's energy exports and its 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers, aiming to cut off the economic support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
China systematically opposes extraterritorial jurisdiction, which lacks a basis in international law and does not have the authorisation of the United Nations Security Council, according to a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun.
US sanctions aim to weaken Russian oil exports, with tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian imports directly into the US, impacting Moscow's largest customers, China and India. The US imported $3.8bn in goods from Russia in 2025.
What's confirmed
- The US Congress has passed the 'Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026,' designed to target Russia's energy exports and its 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers, aiming to cut off the economic support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
- China systematically opposes extraterritorial jurisdiction, which lacks a basis in international law and does not have the authorisation of the United Nations Security Council, according to a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun.
- US sanctions aim to weaken Russian oil exports, with tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian imports directly into the US, impacting Moscow's largest customers, China and India. The US imported $3.8bn in goods from Russia in 2025.
What's still developing
- China buys about half of Russian crude oil exports, followed by India at 37 percent, according to August data from the think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
- Recent experience suggests India has been more responsive to Western pressure over Russian oil purchases than China.
- It must weigh the benefits of cheap Russian crude against steep US trade penalties.
- But the calculation for both countries has changed since the war with Iran began.
- United States Congress has passed a bill that gives President Donald Trump sweeping powers to impose sanctions on Russia’s crude exports as well as steep tariffs on buyers of Russian energy, a measure which will impact Moscow’s biggest customers, China and India.
- The “Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026”, named after the late senator who was a staunch supporter of Ukraine up until his death in July, is designed to curtail the economic pipeline that has enabled Russia to fund its war against Ukraine, now in its fifth year.