US President Donald Trump has threatened to further raise the tariffs on India, accusing New Delhi of purchasing Russian oil even though “people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.”

The threat came after New Delhi dismissed Trump’s earlier 25% tariffs, saying that the tariffs would not influence India’s decision-making on energy.

Trump, in his Monday Truth Social update, accused New Delhi of reselling the oil for profit, which he said fuels Moscow’s killing in Ukraine.

“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” Trump wrote. Kyiv Post retained the original post’s unconventional capitalization.

India is the world’s third-largest oil importer and had been the biggest buyer of Russian seaborne crude, according to Reuters.

Trump then suggested the purchases are fueling Russia’s killing of Ukrainians and threatens to raise the tariffs.

“They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!     President DJT,” Trump added.

Trump previously issued an ultimatum demanding that Moscow pursue a ceasefire or face secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, aiming to pressure Russia into negotiations – an ultimatum that Moscow has not yet heeded.

The original 50-day ultimatum was cut to 10 days after Russian attacks on Ukraine continued unabated. The deadline is set for Aug. 8.

As a warning shot to Moscow, Trump said the US would impose a 25% tariff on India, a major Russian oil importer, starting Aug. 1, due to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil and weapons.

Although initial reports suggested that New Delhi had stopped purchasing Russian oil, officials later denied this, asserting that the US cannot compel India to do so, as per the New York Times.

Despite the denial, India’s top oil refiner, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has reportedly bought 7 million barrels of crude from the United States, Canada and the Middle East for September delivery via a tender, several trade sources told Reuters on Monday.