'India mostly on our side': Zelenskyy differs from Trump's 'primary funders of war' charge

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seemed to differ from his US counterpart Trump on who is funding Russia's war in Ukraine and asserted that India was "mostly on our side".

During an interview with Fox News, when asked if he thought India and China “were contributing to the war", Zelenskyy said, "No, India is mostly on our side. Yes, we have this questions with energy but I think President Trump can manage it."

Journalist: India and China are contributing to the Ukraine war

President Zelensky: No, India is mostly on our side. We do have problems on energy but those can be managed. Europe must build strong ties with India. We must not withdraw from the Indians. pic.twitter.com/8MFSt53Xnz

— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) September 24, 2025

The Ukrainian President's remarks came amid US President Donald Trump's criticism of India and China, labelling the countries as “primary funders” of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also said that the US President Donald Trump can “manage" the issue with regards to energy and advised the European Union to build closer ties with New Delhi. He warned against “withdrawing from Indians".

"I think we have to do everything not to withdraw India and they will change their attitude to Russian energy sector, I am sure," Zelenskyy said, further adding that a similar can't be expected from China. "With China its more difficult because today, it's not in their interests not to support Russia," Zelenskyy reasoned.

The Ukrainian President, leading his nation through a war that is set to enter its fourth year in 2026, warned against withdrawing from Indians in conversation with US-based broadcaster Fox News’ news host Brett Baier.

The US has repeatedly accused India of funding the war in Ukraine with Trump even imposing additional tariffs for buying Russian crude oil. India has responded by saying that it will take steps that serves its national interest and benefits its own people.