Trump has made one thing extremely clear to Europe.
President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to European nations: stop buying Russian oil or face serious consequences.
The White House is pushing hard for Europe to join the U.S. in imposing powerful sanctions aimed at crippling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine. A senior administration official told The Post that Trump is ready to take action — but European countries must step up and choose sides.
Europe Still Funding Putin’s War
Despite cutting back somewhat since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many European nations continue to depend on Moscow for energy.
According to a February report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Europe spent $25.5 billion on Russian fossil fuels in 2024 alone.
To put that into perspective, Europe gave Ukraine only $21.7 billion in aid last year. In other words, European governments are sending more cash to Putin than to Ukraine — even as the war rages on.
By comparison, the United States does not import a single drop of Russian oil.
Meanwhile, China, India, and Turkey accounted for a whopping 75% of Russia’s fossil fuel sales, spending a combined $187.3 billion last year.
Trump: Europe Must Choose Sides
With peace talks stalled, Trump is preparing a new wave of U.S. sanctions — but they won’t be fully effective unless Europe joins in.
“The U.S. wants Europe to join Washington in these sanctions and immediately stop purchasing Russian oil,” — Senior White House Official
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, told The Post that he believes Europe will ultimately align with Trump.
“Europe must be ready to act decisively and stop buying Russian oil once U.S. sanctions are announced,” Yermak said.
Trump’s Frustration With Putin Boils Over
Trump’s push for tougher action comes after his high-stakes summit with Putin in Alaska, which was aimed at stopping the bloodshed.
The President didn’t hide his anger with Putin.
“I’m very disappointed in President Putin,” Trump told CNN’s Scott Jennings. “Seven thousand people are dying every single week — mostly soldiers. If I can help stop that, I have an obligation to do it.”
Putin has continued bombing Kyiv and refuses to meet with Zelensky, further undermining hopes for peace.
Tariffs as a Warning Shot
Trump has already slapped a 50% tariff on India, partly due to its continued purchases of Russian oil.
This bold move signals to other nations that America will punish those who bankroll Putin’s war, no matter how powerful they are.
White House Pushes Europe to Back Ukraine
Beyond sanctions, the U.S. is urging Europe to commit to Ukraine’s long-term security and stability once the war ends.
“The U.S. expects European allies to take a stronger role in ensuring Ukraine’s safety and prosperity after the war,” — Senior White House Official
U.S. and European officials are currently hammering out post-war security guarantees to ensure Russia never dares to invade Ukraine again. Those discussions are ongoing this week.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
President Trump has made it clear: Europe cannot continue funding Putin while claiming to support Ukraine.
Every dollar spent on Russian oil strengthens Moscow and prolongs the war.
With new sanctions looming, European leaders face a critical decision — stand with the United States and freedom, or side with Putin’s aggression.
The future of global security hangs in the balance.