In yet another moment of clarity and bold leadership, President Donald Trump on Tuesday called out European nations for their contradictory stance on the war in Ukraine, revealing a staggering truth: European countries have spent more money purchasing Russian oil and natural gas than they have on aiding Ukraine.
“Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine — by far!” Trump declared. “Think of that, they’ve spent more buying Russian oil and gas than they’ve spent defending.”
Trump’s assertion isn’t just rhetoric—it’s backed by solid numbers. According to data compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, European nations have collectively spent a shocking $206 billion on Russian oil, natural gas, and coal since February 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, European military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine totaled only $138.75 billion, according to Reuters.
For years, European leaders have postured as the moral compass of the world, lecturing others on democracy and human rights. Yet their own actions paint a different picture. While they claim to stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression, they are actively funding Putin’s war machine through record-breaking purchases of Russian energy.
In 2022, European imports of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) increased by 21%, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt. Even after two years of war, in 2024, the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that European nations still spent $23 billion on Russian fossil fuels—compared to just $19.6 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Europe’s “green energy” advocates may claim they are transitioning away from Russian fuel, but the numbers tell a different story. Sanctions on Russia have barely made a dent, as Putin’s revenues have only dropped by 8% compared to pre-war levels, according to CREA.
This revelation proves what Trump has been saying all along: Europe relies too heavily on the U.S. for defense while continuing business as usual with the very adversary they claim to oppose. Unlike Joe Biden, whose weak leadership has only emboldened Putin and forced American taxpayers to foot the bill for Ukraine’s defense, Trump has long called for Europe to take responsibility for its own security.
Instead of blindly pouring American taxpayer money into Ukraine while Europe keeps fueling Russia’s economy, it’s time for a true leader like Trump to step in and demand accountability. His “America First” approach ensures that the U.S. does not fall for Europe’s hypocrisy while standing strong against adversaries.
If Trump’s historic record tells us anything, it’s that under his leadership, America will no longer tolerate the two-faced policies of European elites—it’s time for real action and real leadership.
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