This article examines a series of phone calls made by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, and India. These conversations occurred amid Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia.
A pivotal discussion took place with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whose position is crucial to any prospect of ending the war. China has maintained a neutral stance, advocating for compromise and supporting peaceful negotiations. Putin’s call to Xi is viewed as coordination on positions ahead of upcoming talks.
Economic topics were also central, particularly regarding oil relations with India. From 2026, the European Union will ban the import of oil products made from Russian crude, prompting India to stop purchasing Russian oil during auctions in November and December. In response, Putin offered India a $5 discount per barrel. This is significant for Russia, since India is its second-largest oil buyer after China.
The talks also addressed US tariffs on Indian goods, which have driven India and China to consolidate their positions amid regional competition. Trump's policies, motivated by electoral ambitions, are seen as fostering further alignment among Asian nations.
In summary, Putin’s calls aimed both to inform allies about negotiations and to address economic issues that will impact Russia's energy sector and the economic landscape of the region.
