The government subtly rebuffed the president’s comments that it would stop buying Russian oil, as it tries to avoid a public fight and end a trade dispute with Washington.

The shadow fleet of unmarked tankers evading international sanctions to deliver Russian crude to India and China is straining trade talks.

India has begun settling some payments for Russian oil in Chinese yuan, though most transactions are still conducted in roubles, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday."I am aware that such payments have started.

Lukoil and Rosneft were designated under the Britain’s Russia sanctions laws for what London described as their role in supporting the Russian government. They are subject to an asset freeze, director disqualification, transport restrictions, and a ban on British trust services.