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Trump Urges Europe to Stop Buying Russian Oil
President Donald Trump urged European leaders to stop purchasing Russian oil, saying the revenue is directly funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine. He pointed out that Europe’s fuel imports from Russia were worth about €1.1 billion over the past year.
Pressure on China
Trump also called on Europe to put economic pressure on China, arguing that Beijing’s continued energy trade with Russia indirectly supports the conflict.
Coalition of the Willing Summit
The remarks were made during discussions with European leaders at the Paris-based “Coalition of the Willing” summit, which focused on Ukraine’s security guarantees. Trump joined virtually to push Europe to tighten its stance on Russian energy and China’s role.
EU Energy Transition
The European Union has already begun phasing out Russian fossil fuels. Imports of Russian crude oil largely ended in 2022, while refined fuel imports stopped in 2023. However, some nations, including Hungary and Slovakia, still rely on Russian supplies. The EU has pledged to fully eliminate Russian oil and gas imports by January 2028.
Ukraine’s Response
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also present at the talks, criticized European countries that continue to buy Russian oil. He urged stronger sanctions and more coordinated action to cut off Moscow’s war funding and bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
