Donald Trump revealed that European leaders will visit the US to discuss ways to end the Ukraine conflict. The talks will focus on Russian sanctions, energy trade, and Moscow’s growing attacks.
European Leaders to Visit US for Ukraine Talks
According to Donald Trump, European leaders will travel to the United States on Monday or Tuesday to talk about methods to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
The US president indicated that his administration was prepared to go to a second wave of penalties on Moscow and said that he would also speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon.”
Zelensky Welcomes Sanctions
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, called the sanctions the “right idea” and urged European countries to cease purchasing Russian energy.
Russia killed four people and struck Ukraine’s major government building in Kyiv for the first time during its biggest aircraft bombardment of the country so far in the war.
Trump declared that he was “not happy with the whole situation” following the strike, in which Russia launched at least 810 drones and 13 missiles at Ukraine.
Trump’s Comments on European Leaders
“Certain European leaders are coming over to our country on Monday or Tuesday individually,” Trump stated. Who Trump was referring to was unclear.
Since Trump and Putin met in Alaska last month, Russia has increased its attacks on Ukraine. Zelensky told ABC News that it was “not fair” for European allies to keep purchasing Russian gas and oil.
Calls to Stop Buying Russian Energy
“We must cease [purchasing] any energy from Russia, as well as any other transactions with Russia,” he continued. “If we want to stop them, we can’t have any deals.”
In an effort to hinder Moscow’s capacity to finance the conflict, Zelensky also praised Trump’s intentions to put secondary taxes on nations that trade with Russia.
“I think the idea to put tariffs on the countries who continue to make deals with Russia, I think this is the right idea,” he stated.
Russia’s Oil and Gas Exports
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air estimates that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, it has sold about $985 billion (£729 billion) worth of gas and oil.
China and India have been the largest buyers. Although it hasn’t entirely stopped, the EU has drastically cut back on its purchases of Russian energy. Brussels announced plans to stop all purchases by 2027 in June.
US Sanctions on India
Last month, the US imposed tariffs of 50% on goods from India as punishment for continuing to buy Russian oil.
The Indian government has said it will continue to pursue the “best deal” on buying oil for the economic interests of its population.
And at a meeting in Beijing last week, Russia said it would increase supplies of gas to China.
OPEC+ Oil Production and Pressure on Prices
Zelensky’s intervention comes as the OPEC+ group of oil producing nations, which includes Russia, has again agreed to increase production, a move which will put downward pressure on oil prices.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC’s Meet the Press that the US was looking for more support from the EU to impose secondary tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil.
Pressure on Russia’s Economy
According to Bessent, “the Russian economy will be in total collapse, and that will bring President Putin to the table” if EU countries imposed more secondary taxes and sanctions on states that purchase Russian oil.
He continued: “We are in a race now between how long can the Ukrainian military hold up, versus how long can the Russian economy hold up.”
