Trump Urges Europe to Cut Russian Oil Ties, Intensify economic Pressure on China
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing European leaders to fully sever their reliance on Russian oil and to escalate economic pressure on China, alleging Beijing is providing crucial financial support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The calls come as the European Union debates further sanctions against Russia and seeks to diversify its energy sources.
While the EU has proposed phasing out Russian oil purchases by January 1, 2028, the timeline and implementation remain uncertain.Despite efforts to reduce dependence,imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Russia actually increased by 18% last year,according to a February report from the Institute for Energy Economics and financial Analysis (IEEFA),even as imports from the US,Qatar,and Algeria decreased. This continued reliance provides a significant revenue stream for the Kremlin, fueling its military operations. Trump’s intervention aims to accelerate the decoupling of europe from Russian energy and to address what he views as a critical funding source for the conflict: China.
The former president’s push centers on the argument that depriving Russia of revenue through energy sanctions, coupled with increased economic pressure on China for enabling Moscow, is the most effective path toward a resolution. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed this sentiment following a recent discussion with Trump, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that they discussed “how to push the situation toward real peace” through “strong measures, especially economic ones, to force an end to the war.” Zelensky emphasized, ”The key to peace is depriving Russia’s war machine of money and resources.”
Currently, the EU has lowered the price cap for crude oil from Russia to $47.6 per barrel, down from $60, but full divestment remains a complex issue for European nations grappling with energy security and economic considerations. The potential for increased US LNG exports to Europe exists, but currently represents a smaller share of the European market than Russian sources. The outcome of the EU’s legislative process and the extent to which it will address China’s role in funding the war remain key factors in determining the future trajectory of the conflict.
