US Buying Russian Diesel: 'Ridiculous' Hypocrisy, Says Former Diplomat KP Fabian
Former diplomat KP Fabian slams US hypocrisy after Trump waives sanctions to buy Russian diesel while threatening tariffs on India.
In a startling turn of geopolitical events, former diplomat KP Fabian has called out the United States for its contradictory stance on Russian energy. The reaction comes after US President Donald Trump waived sanctions under the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act to facilitate the purchase of Russian diesel, even as Washington has previously threatened tariffs on other nations for similar trade ties.
The Diesel Deal and the Sanction Waiver
The controversy erupted after President Trump invoked Section 115 of the Graham Act. This specific provision allows the President to waive sanctions or restrictions if it is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States. Through this order, Trump paused the law that could have imposed tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas—a group that includes India and China.
The move appears to be a strategic response to soaring diesel prices within the US, particularly as the country heads toward the November midterm elections. Under a newly announced deal, Russia is set to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November, and a further 1 million tonnes shortly thereafter.
KP Fabian Slams US Double Standards
Speaking to ANI, former diplomat KP Fabian highlighted the irony of the US government sanctioning others while actively seeking Russian fuel. He argued that if the US is buying Russian diesel, the logic of sanctioning other countries for doing the same falls apart.
"If America itself is buying, either it should sanction itself, which is ridiculous," Fabian stated.
Fabian further suggested that the threats of tariffs against India are merely tactical moves by the Trump administration to secure a more favorable trade deal. He pointed out that the US has not dared to apply similar pressure on China, which remains the top buyer of Russian exports at 50 per cent, followed by India at 37 per cent.
Pretexts and Trade Negotiations
The former diplomat dismissed various accusations used by the US to justify tariffs, such as overcapacity and child labour—noting that India's name had already been removed from the latter list. He characterized these issues as "pretexts invented by Trump" during trade negotiations.
Key Points of the Waiver:
- Section 115 Invoked: Trump certified that the waiver is in the national interest of the US.
- Tariff Avoidance: The waiver prevents duties that could have reached 500 per cent on Russian goods and 100 per cent on the top five importers of Russian oil/gas.
- Immediate Supply: The US expects a massive influx of diesel starting with 300,000 tonnes to stabilize domestic prices.
According to Fabian, these developments prove that India's strategic autonomy is not the issue, but rather a reflection of the US's own fluctuating interests and its need for energy security ahead of critical elections.