Trump: Zelensky must strike a deal with Putin, and Europe must stop buying oil from Russia

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump today called on the EU to stop buying oil from Russia amid the war in Ukraine, and told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he must reach a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin.

Trump assessed the existing European sanctions as insufficient and called on NATO allies to impose sanctions on China for its support of Russia.

Interestingly, unlike Europe and Zelensky, he did not present any demands to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a conversation with reporters today, Trump reiterated his demands towards Ukraine and Europe.

"Zelensky will have to strike a deal, and Europe must stop buying oil from Russia," Trump said, emphasizing that the Ukrainian president must reach a peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

.@POTUS: "Zelensky's going to have to make a deal, and Europe has to stop buying oil from Russia." pic.twitter.com/FNpw1WMnBQ

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 16, 2025

These statements by Trump come just a day after he stated that he does not want European nations to continue buying oil from Russia, and criticized their sanctions as "not strict enough".

Trump reiterated his long-standing concern about the war in Ukraine and his desire to mediate a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.

"Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don't want them to buy oil - and the sanctions they are imposing are not strict enough. I am ready to impose sanctions, but they will have to tighten their sanctions proportionally to what I am doing," Trump said.

Trump recently called on NATO allies to sanction Beijing with tariffs of 50 to 100 percent, accusing China of financing Russia and strengthening its military capabilities in the war with Ukraine.

Beijing responded indirectly, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying that China is committed to "promoting peace talks to resolve focal issues" and that "wars cannot solve problems, and sanctions would only complicate them".

China also stated that it "does not participate in wars, nor does it plan them" and emphasized the importance of dialogue, calling for closer cooperation with Europe. Wang Yi made these remarks during a meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon.

In his latest media appearance, Trump omitted India from his criticisms, despite having previously imposed a 25 percent tariff on it for buying Russian oil, which New Delhi called "unjustified and unreasonable".

"Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security," India stated at the time.

The omission of criticism comes amid indications that Washington and New Delhi are working on a separate agreement.