US President Donald Trump has called on European allies to immediately stop buying Russian oil and increase economic pressure on China in an effort to bring the war in Ukraine closer to an end.
The appeal came during a Thursday call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders of the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group supporting Ukraine’s defense and security.
According to a White House official, Trump “emphasized that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war — as Russia received €1.1 billion in fuel sales from the EU in one year.” The president also underlined that European partners “must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts.”
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed after the call that 26 countries had pledged to contribute to a potential peacekeeping force once a ceasefire is finalized. Still, he acknowledged that US participation remains central to giving European actions credibility.
“In the coming days we will finalize the American support for these security guarantees,” Macron said, stressing the need for an “American safety net” alongside European troops and military aid.
Zelensky echoed Trump’s call for stronger measures, highlighting the importance of cutting off Russian revenue streams.
“The Russian economy is pressured and all the countries who trade with Russia are pressured, and we will continue with this,” the Ukrainian leader said, adding that “secondary sanctions and special trade tariffs” could increase the pressure on Moscow.
The push comes as Trump faces mounting frustration over stalled negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin following their summit in Alaska. While the US has ruled out ground troops in Ukraine, the administration is weighing limited security guarantees such as manned air support missions if a peace deal is reached.
