Bild Reported A "heated" Conversation Between EU Leaders And Trump
- 4.09.2025, 22:37
The US president rebuked Europe over its purchases of Russian oil.
Between European leaders and US President Donald Trump had a "heated" conversation with reproaches and expressions of discontent, writes Bild with reference to sources.
According to her, the American president rebuked Europe over purchases of Russian oil. Earlier, the same data was cited by Reuters. The German newspaper writes that the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tried to parry by saying that the EU's oil imports from Russia have dropped significantly since the war in Ukraine began. Trump was also told that only Hungary and Slovakia were buying oil.
The Europeans, for their part, offered to coordinate action on the sanctions and send representatives to Washington within 48 hours to set up a working group. It is unclear what Trump's response to this was. Bild writes that Europe does not expect the American leader to make a decision on sanctions after this conversation.
September 4, a mixed-format meeting of country delegations from the "coalition of the willing" was held in Paris, along with a phone conversation between Trump and European leaders. The American president also spoke with Ukraine's head of state Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Bild, Trump's special envoy Steve Whitkoff, who attended the meeting in person, accused Europe of buying Russian oil from India. The US has imposed a 25% duty against it for importing energy from Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron said after the meeting that the US and Europe would jointly impose sanctions against Russia if there was no progress on a peace settlement. He also said he reaffirmed U.S. participation in security guarantees for Ukraine. In total, 26 countries out of 35 coalition members have solidified their intentions, he specified.
Zelensky called the conversation with Trump and European leaders detailed. According to him, they discussed increasing pressure on Russia, including economic pressure. "Ukraine suggested that the US consider a special format for the protection of Ukrainian skies," he also pointed out, without revealing details.
Trump did not comment on these contacts.