Trump Urges Europe to Stop Buying Russian Oil and Push China Over Ukraine War
US President Donald Trump has called on European nations to halt Russian oil imports and increase pressure on China to help end the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a White House official who spoke to CNN.
Trump delivered the message during a high-level call on Thursday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders who form the “Coalition of the Willing” — a group of Ukraine’s allies working to end the conflict and secure long-term protections for Kyiv.
Trump Calls for Stronger European Action
During the coalition meeting, Trump stressed that Europe must stop funding Russia’s war machine through oil purchases, pointing out that the European Union had paid Moscow over €1.1 billion in fuel sales in just one year. He also urged leaders to impose economic pressure on China, which Washington says has been financially supporting Russia’s war efforts.
“The President emphasized that Europe must act decisively — both by cutting oil imports from Russia and by holding China accountable,” the White House official said.
Macron: 26 Countries Ready to Back Peacekeeping Force
French President Emmanuel Macron announced after the meeting that 26 countries have pledged support for a potential peacekeeping mission if a ceasefire agreement is reached. However, he emphasized that US backing remains essential to ensure credibility.
“In the coming days, we will finalize the American support for these security guarantees,” Macron noted, adding that a complete strategy for Ukraine’s security would involve bolstering its armed forces, deploying European troops, and securing an “American safety net.”
Growing Pressure on Trump to Act
The conflict has become increasingly difficult to resolve, and Trump is facing pressure to take a tougher stance on Russia. Nearly three weeks after his tense summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump is growing frustrated with the lack of progress in peace talks. According to officials, he is now weighing whether to personally step in and broker direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
Despite his warnings of “severe consequences” for Putin if the war drags on, Trump is cautious about taking measures that could derail ongoing discussions. Instead, he has focused on targeting countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and goods.
Sanctions and Tariffs on the Table
When asked if he would impose sanctions on nations trading with Russia, Trump pointed to his recent move against India, where he raised tariffs to 50% on Russian oil imports, accusing New Delhi of helping to fund Moscow’s war.
For his part, Zelensky echoed Trump’s call to ramp up economic pressure, urging global allies to expand “secondary sanctions and special trade tariffs” on Russia and its trading partners.
“The Russian economy is under strain, and the more pressure we apply, the weaker it becomes,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky Rejects Putin’s Meeting Proposal
Earlier this week, Putin suggested that Zelensky meet him in Moscow for peace talks. However, the Ukrainian leader dismissed the idea, saying the invitation itself showed that Russia was not serious about negotiations.
“If someone wants a meeting not to happen, they invite me to Moscow,” Zelensky remarked.
What Comes Next
The Biden administration — while ruling out US ground troops — has indicated it may consider limited security guarantees for Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. These could include American pilots supporting air defense operations.
For now, Trump and his allies are doubling down on the strategy of economic isolation against Russia and its supporters, hoping to push Putin toward ending the war.