US President Donald Trump, addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, accused India and China of being “primary funders” of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He claimed that their continued purchases of Russian oil and gas were providing Moscow with the financial resources to sustain its military campaign. Trump, who has frequently stated that he believed the Ukraine war would be the “easiest war to end,” emphasised that Russia’s ongoing offensive was being supported by revenue from energy sales. He specifically pointed to India and China, asserting that their imports were directly financing Moscow’s war efforts.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine is not making Russia look good,” Trump told the assembly of world leaders, underscoring that global powers should not be providing Moscow with the resources to prolong the conflict.
In addition to targeting India and China, Trump criticised Europe and NATO allies for failing to halt their own purchases of Russian energy. He warned that if Europe did not take decisive action, the United States was prepared to act unilaterally. “In the event that Russia is not ready to make a deal to end the war, then the United States is fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs,” Trump declared.
He further stressed the need for European cooperation, stating, “For those tariffs to be effective, European nations would have to join us in adopting the exact same measures: they have to immediately cease ALL energy purchases from Russia.”
Trump announced his intention to discuss the issue directly with European leaders during meetings in New York, signalling a push for coordinated action to pressure Russia economically.
Trump’s remarks were part of a broader effort to defend his approach to ending the Ukraine conflict, which has persisted despite his repeated assertions that he could swiftly resolve it. By pointing to India, China, and Europe, Trump attributed the war’s prolongation to external funding streams rather than shortcomings in US diplomacy. His accusations sought to shift responsibility for the ongoing conflict onto nations he claimed were enabling Russia through their energy purchases.
Beyond the Ukraine issue, Trump used the UN platform to advocate for a global ban on biological weapons. “As we seek to reduce the threat of dangerous weapons — today, I’m also calling on every nation to join us in ending the development of biological weapons once and for all,” he said, highlighting his administration’s focus on global security.
Trump also took the opportunity to criticise the United Nations itself, arguing that the organisation had failed to fulfil its role in preventing conflicts. “The United Nations is supposed to stop invasions, not create them and not finance them,” he stated, expressing frustration with the UN’s ineffectiveness in addressing global crises like the Ukraine war.
Trump’s address underscored his administration’s stance on international relations, combining accusations against specific nations, calls for economic measures like tariffs, and critiques of global institutions, all while positioning himself as a decisive leader on the world stage.
