US President Donald Trump has called on European nations to do more to resist Russia’s war in Ukraine by reducing oil imports and exerting economic pressure on China, which Washington accuses of indirectly supporting Moscow.
Trump’s Warning on Russian Oil
Addressing across video conference the European leaders present in Paris for a “Coalition of the Willing” meeting, Trump vigorously denounced Europe’s ongoing Russian energy imports. The president emphasized that “Europe must halt buying Russian oil that is paying for the war,” as he noted that Russia made €1.1 billion from EU fuel sales during only one year.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was on the call, also echoed Trump’s frustration, listing Hungary and Slovakia as among the Russian oil buyers. He also demanded stricter sanctions against Moscow and reaffirmed Kyiv’s call for enhanced airspace protection.
Pressure on China
Aside from his diatribe against Europe, Trump urged the EU to economically target Beijing for allegedly indirectly financing Russia’s war effort. His comments come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing after Chinese President Xi Jinping stood side by side with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a military parade in Beijing earlier this week.
Trump has also toughened his tone on China recently, positing that Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang are conspiring against the United States and its allies. Sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil have come from Washington, but Trump has so far declined to do the same in China, saying that there are still trade talks under way.
Frustration Over Stalled Peace Efforts
The Paris summit, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, aimed at discussing long-term security assurances to Ukraine if a peace agreement with Moscow becomes reality. But Trump, who at one point forecast he could win the war quickly soon after his inauguration, has become increasingly frustrated with stalled progress.
A White House representative explained the president expressed doubt at Europe’s seriousness to provide security guarantees while still purchasing Russian fuel. “The president made it clear this is not his war, and the Europeans need to step up too,” the representative added.
The European Union has already set out to ban Russian oil and gas imports from January 1, 2028, but Trump indicated that the pace is much too sluggish in light of the current conflict.
