‘This deal doesn’t help’: Europe slams Trump’s plan to buy Russian diesel
"Pressure, pressure, pressure on Russia" is the only way to end the war, Lithuania's foreign minister said.
European leaders have criticized President Donald Trump's plan to purchase Russian diesel, expressing doubts about its ability to alleviate oil prices or strengthen the transatlantic community. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys dismissed the deal as not in line with the European approach. Ireland's Helen McEntee found Trump's announcement "concerning", while Germany's Gunther Krichbaum warned that every dollar spent on Russian energy supports the Ukrainian enemy.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas reminded the U.S. that "Russia initiated this war", urging Washington to maintain pressure on Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned the significance of the Russian diesel deliveries in the global market and suggested that the U.S. should consider an alternative deal with Kyiv instead.
Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine was unaware of Trump's energy ceasefire claim until it was reported in the media. European foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions, support for Ukraine, and isolation of the country as the only path to peace. The EU's stance remains consistent, with no intention to follow suit in purchasing Russian energy.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
