US Senator’s warning to India, Putin over Russian oil: ‘We’re going to tear up the hell out of you’

US Senator Lindsay Graham has issued a stern warning to countries that buy oil from Russia, including India, that US President Donald Trump “will crush your economy”. Graham’s threat comes just days after Trump said he would impose a 100% pc tariff on countries that import Russian products, mainly oil.

Graham, in an interview with Fox News, specifically named India. "Trump is going to impose tariffs on people who buy Russian oil: China, India, and Brazil. These three countries buy about 80% of the cheap Russian oil, and they continue to keep the Russian war machine running. Trump will impose 100% tariffs on these countries to punish them for helping Putin. Soon they will be at the deciding point and will have to choose between the American economy and their help to Putin, and I think they will choose the American economy,” he said.

Graham then threw in a piece of advice to India. “Here's what I would tell China, India, and Brazil: If you keep buying cheap Russian oil to allow this war to continue, we’re going to tear up the hell out of you and we’re going to crush your economy, because what you’re doing is blood money,” he said.

India is the largest buyer of Russian oil, accounting for 38% of the crude oil that India imports. In April 2025, India's crude imports from Russia reached nearly 2 million barrels per day, marking a two-year high.

The US President gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a deadline of 50 days for Russia to end the war, to avoid tariffs. Russia responded to the announcement, calling it a "theatrical ultimatum," but India said it wasn’t worried about the tariff as it could diversify its sources.

Graham also took on Putin directly in the interview. "Putin, your turn is coming. Donald Trump is the 'Scott Scheffler' of American politics and diplomacy, and he's going to kick your ass,” Graham said.

 

 

 

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