Trump Urges Europe to Halt Russian Oil Purchases Amid Coalition Talks on Ukraine
Washington, The Gulf Observer: US President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine’s European allies to cease purchasing Russian oil, warning that continued imports are helping finance Moscow’s war effort. His remarks followed discussions with members of the “Coalition of the Willing” after their meeting in Paris on Thursday, according to media reports.
Reuters cited a White House official as saying that President Trump joined the meeting virtually and stressed that Europe “must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war,” noting that Russia earned approximately €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) from fuel sales to the European Union in one year.
The Paris meeting focused on coordinating what contributions Ukraine’s European allies could make toward security guarantees for Kyiv. Trump reportedly questioned the seriousness of some coalition members, pointing out that several continue to import Russian oil despite pledges to support Ukraine.
Washington has also extended pressure beyond Europe. On August 27, the United States imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian exports in response to New Delhi’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil. According to the BBC, the tariffs rank among the highest under Trump’s administration and were partly intended to penalize India’s reliance on Russian energy.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has sought to degrade Russia’s oil refining capacity through long-range drone strikes, exacerbating what analysts describe as a growing fuel crisis inside Russia.
During the meeting, Trump also urged European leaders to exert economic pressure on China, accusing Beijing of providing financial support that helps sustain Russia’s war. His comments came a day after China marked the 80th anniversary of its World War II victory with a military parade in Beijing, attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a separate message on Truth Social, Trump extended his “warmest regards” to Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while simultaneously accusing them of “conspiring against” the United States.
