Coalition of the willing to dispatch urgent delegation to US after heated Trump call - Bild
Illustrative photo: US and the Coalition of the willing to negotiate sanctions against Russia (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump held a "heated" phone call with European leaders following the Coalition of the willing summit in Paris, according to Bild.
Donald Trump accused European Union countries of purchasing Russian oil, which in his words helps sustain Russia’s military machine.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen reportedly tried to counter the claim, stating that oil imports from the EU had significantly declined after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the call, Trump was told that only Hungary and Slovakia continue to import Russian oil. US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff added that Europe still buys Russian oil products indirectly through India.
When Trump shifted the discussion to sanctions against Russia, EU representatives proposed sending their delegates to Washington within 48 hours to form a working group on sanctions. It remains unclear, however, whether Trump agreed to the initiative.
Leaders of several European countries met in Paris on September 4 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. Among them were German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Ahead of the Coalition of the willing meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the preparation of security guarantees for Ukraine had been completed. He said the commitments of the allies had been documented and confirmed at the level of defense ministers.
