US President Donald Trump has urged European leaders to stop purchasing Russian oil and to increase economic pressure on China in an effort to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking during a high-level coalition meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, Trump stressed that Europe’s continued fuel trade with Moscow is prolonging the conflict.
Europe Pressured to Cut Russian Oil Imports
Trump told European allies that their ongoing purchases of Russian oil are directly financing Moscow’s war machine. According to figures shared in the meeting, Russia received more than €1.1 billion in fuel sales from the European Union within a year, money that has helped sustain its military operations in Ukraine.
“The President emphasized that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war,” a senior official said. Trump also argued that a united European stance is critical to cutting off Moscow’s economic lifeline.
Calls for Economic Pressure on China
Alongside targeting Russia, Trump urged Europe to place stronger economic pressure on China, accusing Beijing of indirectly funding Russia’s war efforts. He stressed that China’s trade and financial ties with Moscow must be addressed if the international community is serious about bringing the conflict to an end.
Macron Highlights Security Guarantees for Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that 26 countries have pledged contributions to a potential peacekeeping force, should a ceasefire be agreed. However, Macron admitted that US involvement remains crucial, describing America as an “indispensable safety net” for Ukraine’s security guarantees.
“In the coming days we will finalize the American support for these security guarantees,” Macron confirmed.
Zelensky Pushes for Stronger Air Defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump’s participation in the talks, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s air defense systems. Zelensky also confirmed that discussions touched on a “new security format” to further protect the country from future Russian attacks.
“We shared it with our partners today and President Trump,” Zelensky said, highlighting that “secondary sanctions and special trade tariffs” against countries trading with Russia are essential for increasing pressure on Moscow.
While Trump has previously pledged US involvement in post-war security guarantees for Ukraine, his administration has made clear that American boots will not be deployed on Ukrainian soil. Instead, Washington may consider limited roles, such as manned air support missions, if a peace deal is struck.
Trump also reiterated his willingness to impose tariffs and sanctions on nations that continue to trade with Russia, pointing to recent measures against India for importing Russian oil.
Putin’s Invitation Rejected by Zelensky
Zelensky dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion of a meeting in Moscow, calling it a ploy to derail genuine peace efforts.
“Our American partners told me that Putin had invited me to Moscow. In my opinion, if someone wants the meeting to not take place, they should invite me to Moscow,” Zelensky remarked.
Trump’s warning to Europe to end Russian oil purchases and his call for economic pressure on China mark a pivotal moment in global efforts to end the Ukraine war. As discussions continue on security guarantees, the world watches closely to see whether a united front can pressure Moscow into halting its aggression.
