President Donald Trump reiterated his call for European countries to stop buying Russian oil, claiming that Moscow’s war in Ukraine would end if the price of oil falls.
“Very simply, if the price of oil comes down, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is going to drop out. He’s going to have no choice. He’s going to drop out of that war,” Trump said during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump noted that athough he is “very close” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he levied steep tariffs on India because it purchases Russian oil.
On Saturday, Trump issued an ultimatum to NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil, adding that the US would issue “major sanctions” on Russia only when NATO countries agree to do the same.
CNN has previously reported that the European Union imposed a ban on maritime Russian oil imports and refined oil products like diesel, but many countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels and liquefied natural gas.
Trump on Thursday made a distinction that his host, the United Kingdom, does not import Russian oil, saying, “It wasn’t him, it was other countries.”
Trump was also asked if he regretted inviting Putin to Alaska last month.
“No,” the president said, declining to elaborate further.
That bilateral meeting did not significantly change the trajectory of the war, but bought the Kremlin additional time to shore up gains on the battlefield.