Trump Urges Europe to Stop Purchasing Russian Oil and Pressure China to End Ukraine War
In a meeting with world leaders on Thursday, US President Donald Trump called on Europe to halt the purchase of Russian oil and apply economic pressure on China to help bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine, according to a White House official speaking to CNN.
Coalition of the Willing
During a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, Trump emphasized the need for action from the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of allies working to end the war in Ukraine and ensure its security against future attacks.
Support for Peacekeeping Force
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries have committed to contributing to a potential peacekeeping force once a ceasefire agreement is reached. However, US support for security guarantees is viewed as essential to giving credibility to European actions.
American Safety Net
Macron stressed the importance of an “American safety net” as part of Ukraine’s security guarantees, alongside strengthening Ukrainian armed forces and deploying European troops to the region. He confirmed that American support for these guarantees would be finalized in the coming days.
Trump’s Frustration
With negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine progressing slowly, Trump is feeling the pressure to take a tougher stance against Russia. Following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump is considering a more active role in brokering a meeting between Kremlin and Ukrainian leaders.
Targeting Russian Oil
Trump called on Europe to stop purchasing Russian oil, highlighting that Russia received €1.1 billion in fuel sales from the EU in one year. He also urged European leaders to put economic pressure on China, which has been supporting Russia’s war efforts.
Post-War Security Guarantees
While Trump has pledged to provide security guarantees for Ukraine after the war, top administration officials believe that Europe should take the lead. The US is open to a limited role in offering security guarantees, such as manned air support missions, if a peace deal is reached.
Pressure on Moscow
Both Trump and Zelensky emphasized the importance of increasing pressure on Moscow and countries that trade with Russia. Zelensky rejected Putin’s invitation to meet in Moscow, indicating a continued commitment to applying pressure on Russia through sanctions and trade tariffs.
CNN
