Trump urges NATO allies to end Russian energy purchases at UN, warns of tariffs if not coordinated
At the United Nations General Assembly, the former president pressed European partners to cut Russian energy ties, signaling possible tariffs if alignment with Washington is not achieved.
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to press European partners to cut dependence on Russian energy, saying they are 'funding the war against themselves.' Trump argued that several major economies remain too tied to Moscow’s energy despite sanctions and the invasion of Ukraine.
Trump said China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil, and he criticized 'even NATO countries' for not cutting off much Russian energy and Russian energy products. He said he learned of the issue about two weeks ago and was not happy about the situation. He did not specify policy details beyond calling for a concerted shift away from Russian energy and hinted at punitive measures if a broad coalition did not form.
European nations have reduced their reliance on Moscow’s oil since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but they have not cut it off entirely. Hungary, Slovakia, France, Belgium and Spain remain among Europe’s top importers of Russian energy. Hungary and Slovakia continue to purchase Russian oil, and France remains a major purchaser of Russian energy and continues to import LNG, largely due to pre-existing contracts that run through the early 2030s.
Trump said that if Russia is not ready to end the war, the United States is prepared to impose a 'very strong round of powerful tariffs' that would stop the bloodshed, but for those tariffs to be effective, European nations, all of them gathered at the UN, would have to join in adopting the exact same measures. 'But for those tariffs to be effective, European nations, all of you are gathered here right now, would have to join us in adopting the exact same measures,' he said.
'You’re much closer to the city. We have an ocean in between. You’re right there, and Europe has to step it up,' Trump added. He said he would speak with European leaders about the issue while at the UN this week.
The remarks come as France had broken with the United States on the issue of Palestinian statehood the day before, underscoring the broader tensions that can accompany talks on Middle East policy and energy security at a moment of shifting alliances.
Context has long surrounded Europe’s energy mix, with several member states arguing for increased domestic energy production and diversification away from Russia. While the EU has worked to reduce imports since 2022, sanctions and market contracts have left some energy ties in place, complicating calls for a swift, uniform withdrawal. The United States has publicly argued that a coordinated approach to Russia’s energy exports could hasten an end to the war in Ukraine, while opponents warn of the economic and political risks of sweeping sanctions without consensus.
Trump’s UNGA appearance is part of a broader push to frame energy security and NATO funding as central to U.S. foreign policy, a stance that has repeatedly drawn criticism from European allies who argue for a more gradual and coordinated approach with existing European institutions. Analysts say the speech signals a continued emphasis on energy independence and allied defense spending as central themes of Trump’s political messaging on the world stage.