US President Donald Trump today made it clear to European leaders that Europe must stop buying Russian oil, as he said the revenue generated from the sales was funding Russia‘s war in Ukraine.
A White House official said Trump participated in a teleconference with leaders of the “Alliance of the Willing” countries, which was convened by French President Emmanuel Macron.
During the teleconference, the leaders discussed ways to strengthen support for Ukraine and strategies to deter Russian aggression. “President Macron and European leaders invited President Trump to the Alliance of the Willing meeting. President Trump stressed that Europe must stop buying Russian oil, which is funding the war, given that Russia received 1.1 billion euros from fuel sales to the EU in one year,” the US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
In addition, the US president noted that European leaders should also step up economic pressure on China, as it is funding Russia’s war efforts.
For his part, Finland’s President Alexander Stump confirmed Trump’s statements, saying that during the teleconference, the White House occupant suggested imposing new sanctions against Russia, focusing on oil and gas. “Trump’s approach was clear: we need to move together on sanctions and find ways to stop the Russian war machine through economic means,” Stump said.
He added that discussions on new sanctions would continue in the next 24 hours between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and close associates of the US president.
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