‘Must stop purchasing Russian oil’: Trump tells Europe to put economic pressure on China over Ukraine

Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump called on European nations to take stronger economic action against China on Friday, urging them to stop purchasing Russian oil due to Beijing’s support for Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The remarks were made during a video conference with European leaders gathered in Paris, according to a senior White House official who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity.Trump’s call for European nations to halt oil purchases from Russia comes as part of ongoing international efforts to isolate Moscow economically following its invasion of Ukraine. “Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war,” Trump emphasized during the virtual meeting, the official said.Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also participated in the call, echoed concerns about European nations continuing to buy Russian oil. Zelenskyy pointed out that Hungary and Slovakia were particularly active in these purchases, despite the ongoing war and international sanctions aimed at punishing Russia.The Ukrainian leader also mentioned that the discussion included topics like further sanctions on Russia and ways to protect Ukraine’s airspace from Russian attacks. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Zelenskyy noted that Trump remains “very dissatisfied” with Europe’s reliance on Russian energy.Tensions over energy and tradeWhile Trump has made it clear that he believes the US should take a tougher stance on China’s role in the Ukraine conflict, the US has yet to impose similar sanctions on Beijing as it has on countries like India. India has faced sanctions for purchasing Russian oil, but Trump has refrained from taking similar action against China, which is one of the largest importers of Russian energy.In recent weeks, Trump has also turned up the rhetorical heat on China, accusing President Xi Jinping of conspiring with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This accusation came after the three leaders gathered in Beijing to observe a military parade commemorating the end of World War II. Trump’s words have added fuel to the fire of US-China tensions, particularly over China’s strategic partnership with Russia.Limited progress on mediationTrump’s call for Europe to take more decisive action comes as his previous attempts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine have yielded little success. Despite claiming to be seeking an end to the war, Trump has remained largely silent on what his next steps will be in the quest for a resolution. His efforts at diplomacy, including his outreach to Russian and Ukrainian officials, have failed to result in any significant breakthroughs.The US president’s tough stance on Russia and China contrasts with his earlier position of focusing on economic pressure and diplomatic solutions. But as the war in Ukraine stretches into its second year, Trump’s frustration with both Europe’s energy dependency and China’s ongoing support for Russia seems to be growing.A divided EuropeWhile Trump’s call for a unified European response to Russia’s war in Ukraine may find support among some leaders, the continent remains divided on how best to address Russia’s influence. Countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which rely heavily on Russian energy supplies, have been reluctant to implement tougher sanctions or reduce energy imports. This has been a key point of contention for European leaders who are more committed to sanctions against Russia but are also mindful of the economic repercussions on their own energy markets.As the international community continues to grapple with the geopolitical fallout from the war, Trump’s remarks further underscore the growing rift between Europe and the US over how to manage both the Russian threat and the broader international landscape, particularly in relation to China’s growing alignment with Moscow.With the situation continuing to evolve, Trump’s insistence on more aggressive action against China and his growing frustration with Europe’s energy dependency could signal more tension in transatlantic relations as the war in Ukraine shows few signs of resolution.