24.10.2025, Moscow.
Even if Indian buyers refuse to work directly with Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft due to sanctions, intermediary “front” firms will quickly emerge to allow India to continue importing Russian oil, Rossa Primavera News Agency Economical Desk wrote .
On October 22, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, citing “Russia’s lack of serious commitment to a peace process.” A week earlier, the United Kingdom had imposed similar sanctions.
Just hours after the sanctions were announced, Reuters reported that Indian companies were allegedly reviewing oil supply contracts from Russia to ensure that there are no direct deliveries of fuel from Rosneft and Lukoil.
Of course, Ukrainian authorities will likely try to present this situation as another “victory” and portray the sanctions as a devastating blow to the Russian economy. However, in reality, the contract review mentioned by Reuters will most likely not lead to an actual halt in Russian oil purchases, despite claims in some Ukrainian media.
Russian companies have been operating under intense sanctions pressure for more than three and a half years and have continued their business. The main effect of the new sanctions will probably be the creation of new intermediary firms and perhaps more complex supply chains for Russian crude.
In recent months, New Delhi has repeatedly stated that it does not plan to drastically change its oil policy or stop buying Russian oil. Clearly, sanctions against these two companies alone will not convince India to alter its stance.
Most likely, Washington understands this as well, so the sanctions against Lukoil and Rosneft should be seen as another move in President Donald Trump’s preferred “carrot and stick” strategy. After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the US leader was simply obliged to make a symbolic anti-Russian gesture.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
