Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to reject the idea that India was contributing to the war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil and suggested that US and European Union can offer solutions pertaining to the energy sector that work for India.

The Ukrainian President, leading his nation through a war that is set to enter its fourth in 2026, warned against withdrawing from Indians in conversation with conservative US-based broadcaster Fox News’ news host Brett Baier.

“No, India is mostly on our side. We do have problems on energy but those can be managed.” Zelenskyy told Baier when asked if he thought India and China “were contributing to the war”.

The US has accused India of funding the war in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump imposed tariff penalty for buying Russian crude oil. India has responded by saying that it will take steps that serves its national interest and benefits its own people.

The Ukrainian President appeared to accept that it is not in China’s interests now to take a stance that is against Russia and said that Iran will never be on the side of Ukraine since it is against the US.

“Iran will never be on our side because it will not be on the side of the United States… With China, it is more difficult because today it is not in their interest to not support Russia,” Zelenskyy told Baier.

He also said that the US President Donald Trump can “manage” the issue with regards to energy and advised the European Union to build closer ties with New Delhi. He warned against “withdrawing from Indians”.

“I think India mostly with us. Yes, we have these questions with energy, but I think that President Trump can manage it,” Zelenskyy said.

“(To) Europeans, make more close and strong relations with India. And I think we have to do everything (to) not to withdraw (from) Indians and they will change their attitude to Russian energy sector,” he further added.