Former President Donald Trump called on European leaders to halt purchases of Russian oil that he said are "funding" President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and urged them to apply economic pressure on China for supporting Moscow’s efforts, a White House official said.
The official relayed the comments to Fox News Digital following a call that included Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders who were meeting in Paris for a Coalition of the Willing summit. "President Trump emphasized that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war – as Russia received €1.1 billion [nearly $1.3 billion] in fuel sales from the EU in one year," the official said. "The President also emphasized that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts."
The call came as leaders gathered in Paris for the Coalition of the Willing summit, which France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were scheduled to chair on Sept. 4, 2025. The White House official framed Trump’s remarks as part of a broader push to curb financial flows that could sustain Russia’s military operations.
The European Union has sharply reduced imports of Russian oil since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, instituting a series of sanctions and energy measures intended to limit Moscow’s revenue. Still, energy trade and third-party dealings have remained a focus of diplomatic concern, with U.S. and European policymakers periodically calling for tighter enforcement and additional restrictions.
Trump’s comments also directed attention to China’s economic ties with Russia. The White House official did not detail specific policies Trump proposed to compel Beijing to change its behavior, nor did the statement outline immediate steps European governments would take in response. European leaders at the summit discussed continued support for Kyiv and coordination among partners, according to public statements from the event.
The exchange highlights ongoing international efforts to limit the resources available to Russia for its war in Ukraine and the diplomatic complexity of aligning Western and global partners on energy and trade measures. The White House official provided the account of Trump’s remarks to Fox News Digital following the multinational call; no additional readout from the European leaders was included in that account.