Finland President Alexander Stubb Says Buying Russian Oil “Feeds War Machine”

Alexander Stubb, who is currently visiting Mumbai, made a strong remark on India’s purchase of Russian oil, saying that such purchases indirectly help finance Russia’s war efforts.

However, the Finnish President also clarified that he was not in a position to advise India on how it manages its energy requirements.

In an interview with news agency ANI during his visit, Stubb said the issue of energy imports is a sovereign decision for India but pointed out that Russian oil revenues continue to support Moscow’s military campaign.

“Russian Oil Feeds War Machine”: Stubb

Stubb said that although each country must decide its own energy policy, the reality is that money generated from Russian oil exports strengthens Russia’s military capabilities.

He stated, “As far as Russian oil is concerned, I am in no position to advise India on how it distributes its energy portfolio. The only problem I see with purchasing Russian oil is that it always feeds the war machine in Russia.”

His comments come amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has triggered major geopolitical tensions and sanctions from Western nations.

US Gives India Temporary Relief on Russian Oil

The Finnish leader also referred to a recent decision by the United States allowing India a temporary window to continue buying Russian crude.

According to Stubb, the US has granted India a 30-day exemption due to disruptions in global energy supply caused by tensions in the Gulf region.

Shipping routes through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz have been affected by the crisis, making it difficult for several countries to secure energy supplies.

Because of this situation, Washington permitted India to purchase Russian oil temporarily to meet domestic demand.

Trump’s Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil

Earlier, the administration of Donald Trump had imposed 25 percent punitive tariffs on Indian goods.

The US government argued that India’s large-scale purchases of Russian crude were indirectly supporting Russia’s military operations against Ukraine.

However, last month both countries announced a framework for an interim trade agreement.

Following this understanding, Trump signed an executive order removing the 25 percent tariffs after India committed to reducing direct or indirect energy imports from Moscow and exploring American energy supplies.

Finland’s Own Stand: Completely Off Russian Energy

During the interview, Stubb highlighted that Finland has already stopped importing Russian energy.

He explained that Finland’s situation is different because of its geographical and security concerns.

“Finland is completely off Russian oil and gas for self-evident reasons, but our situation is different and so is our side,” he said.

Finland has been among the European countries that strongly backed sanctions against Russia after the Ukraine conflict escalated.

Stubb Meets Fadnavis, Explores Maharashtra Cooperation

Apart from geopolitical discussions, Stubb’s visit also focused on strengthening economic cooperation between Finland and Maharashtra.

The Finnish President met Devendra Fadnavis to explore collaboration in high-technology sectors and innovation-driven industries.

The discussions included possibilities for deeper partnerships between Finnish technology firms and Maharashtra’s growing industrial ecosystem.

On Saturday morning, Stubb also shared a picture of the sunrise over the iconic Gateway of India from the historic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, marking his first morning in Mumbai.

His visit is expected to strengthen ties between Finland and India in areas such as technology, sustainability, and trade cooperation.