President Trump urged European leaders to halt Russian oil purchases and ramp up pressure on China during a high-level call on ending the war in Ukraine.
At a Glance
- Trump urged EU to end Russian oil imports funding Moscow’s war.
- Zelensky, Macron, and 20+ leaders joined a virtual peace summit.
- China cited as key economic enabler of Russia’s military efforts.
- Trump proposed a future Putin-Zelensky meeting, with no traction yet.
- Zelensky confirmed new sanctions and security pledges are in motion.
Trump Calls for Economic Warfare
President Donald Trump escalated his diplomatic offensive on Thursday, calling on European leaders to end their reliance on Russian oil and to increase economic pressure on China. Speaking during a virtual summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump emphasized the role of energy revenues in funding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to a White House briefing, Trump pointed to data showing the EU sent €1.1 billion—approximately $1.28 billion—in fuel payments to Russia within a year. He argued that such funds directly sustain Moscow’s war effort and urged coordinated sanctions targeting Chinese support for the Kremlin.
Read more: Trump Presses EU on Russian Oil
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/trump-put-pressure-european-leaders-over-russian-oil-purchases-white-house-2025-09-04/
The call included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and over 20 heads of state, collectively referred to as the “Coalition of the Willing.” While the summit centered on brokering an eventual ceasefire, leaders appeared increasingly resigned to a protracted conflict.
Stalemate Shadows Peace Push
Despite Trump’s claim that “something is going to happen,” progress remains stalled. The former president has sought to broker a face-to-face negotiation between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but diplomatic efforts have yet to produce results.
Trump also defended his prior measures against Russia, including tariffs on India for its energy purchases from Moscow, in an attempt to rebut criticism that his administration has been slow to act. He maintained that his strategy hinges on long-term pressure and eventual talks.
Meanwhile, Zelensky posted a summary of the summit’s outcomes on social media, highlighting ongoing preparations for a 19th EU sanctions package and new measures from Japan. He noted that while Ukraine’s allies were aligned in their assessment, the Kremlin continues to drag out negotiations to extend the war.
Russia Tightens Anti-Western Bloc
The summit occurred against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical realignment. In recent days, Putin has held separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The trio’s increasing diplomatic closeness has alarmed Washington and European capitals, raising fears of a more unified anti-Western axis.
U.S. officials view China’s support as particularly critical, both financially and diplomatically. Trump has made China a central target, insisting that without Beijing’s backing, Russia’s war machine would be significantly weakened. However, no formal steps have yet been taken by the EU to sanction China directly.
The call concluded with vague commitments on future actions, but no joint statement was issued. European leaders remain divided on the speed and severity of additional sanctions, especially those that could impact their own economies.
