Washington. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed strong disappointment over India’s continued Russian oil imports. Calling it an “irritating point” in bilateral relations, he said such a purchase was “helping to finance the war effort” in Ukraine.

“India is an ally. It is a strategic partner. Like anything in foreign policy, you don’t always get 100 per cent on everything,” Rubio told Fox Radio’s Brian Kilmed, adding, “India has huge energy requirements and it includes the ability to buy oil, coal and gas that it needs to run its economy, which every country does, because Russian oil is restricted and cheap, India buys these energy from Russia – which means they should – in many cases Russia is selling at lower than global prices due to sanctions. । ’

The US Secretary of State stressed the impact of this trade on the ongoing war in Ukraine. “Unfortunately, it’s helping to sustain the Russian war effort. So this is certainly an irritating point in our relationship with India – not the only irritating point. “But I think you’re looking at what the president has expressed, that’s a very obvious disappointment that despite so many other oil vendors available, India continues to buy so much from Russia, which is basically helping to finance the war effort and allowing this war to continue in Ukraine,” he said. ’

Rubio’s comments come in the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s post on Truth Social. In the first six months of the year, Trump has announced 25 per cent customs duty and additional penalties from August 1, citing Russian oil imports, accounting for 35 per cent of India’s overall supply.

“The president has waited for more than six months now and has done his best possible… We have not seen any progress. He said trump has options such as “secondary sanctions on the sale of Russian oil” and “regional banking sanctions” if Moscow has no sincere interest in peace.

Under russian threats, Rubio dismissed former President Dmitry Medvedev’s recent comments as provocative but irrelevant. “He is a relevant player in Russian politics… He is certainly someone in an official position in Russia who is talking about provocation… I don’t think that will be a factor in some way,” he said.

He also ruled out any real possibility of a US-Russia war, saying, “It’s not an unfathomable thing… I think what worries you more is fights or miscalculation… Because the Russians are not very good at conventional weapons, they often have to rely on other means, such as strategic nuclear weapons. ’

Commenting on some Western countries recognising a Palestinian state, Rubio called the move “irrelevant” and “unfavorable” and warned that it would only give courage to Hamas and harm ceasefire efforts. “There can be no Palestinian state unless Israel agrees… It’s unfavorable,” he said.

Foreign Minister Rubio credited Arab countries such as Qatar for pushing Hamas towards a ceasefire, but criticized the impact of international statements recognizing Palestine.

“Israel actually gave a lot of concessions that Hamas demanded… And then Hamas came back and just rejected the deal and rejected it on the same day that French President Emmanuel Macron made his announcement.”

With regard to China, Rubio acknowledged complex relations and recent trade negotiations. “We have a lot of issues on which we disagree with China… But mature foreign policy requires a strategic balance of equity,” he said, adding, “There are weaknesses that we need to close… And I think this time is responsible for us. ’

Rubio also resolutely defended his earlier Senate investigation into the 2016 U.S. election meddling, reiterating that “The Trump campaign was by no means any kind of evidence—zero, zero evidence” that colluded with the Russians. ’

He criticised the handling of the steel dossier, calling it a “lie”. “Millions of dollars were spent on the investigation – everyone chased lies,” he said. ’

He criticised the US and international media for ignoring the plight of Israeli hostages held hostage by Hamas. “We have clearly done more than anyone else in terms of providing financial assistance… Do you know what the camera doesn’t capture? The pain of the 20 hostages taken by Hamas who are now living in tunnels. ’

Rubio’s comments highlight the growing tensions between Washington and its main allies, especially in Russia’s ongoing Ukraine war and the changing geopolitical calculations around China, Israel and West Asia.