Trump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalition – FT
President Trump threatened to halt weapons supplies for Ukraine to pressure European allies to join a “coalition of the willing” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, people briefed on the discussions told Financial Times.
The strait has effectively been closed by Iran after the US and Israel attacked the Islamic republic in late February, choking a route that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil.
Trump urged NATO navies last month to help reopen the waterway but was rebuffed by European capitals, which said it would be impossible during the conflict, with some adding it was “not our war.”
Three officials said Trump responded by threatening to cut supplies to PURL, NATO’s Ukraine weapons procurement program funded by European countries.
At the urging of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, countries including France, Germany, and the UK issued a hastily agreed March 19 statement saying they were ready to support efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait.
One official said Rutte pushed for the statement because Trump had threatened to withdraw from PURL and from Ukraine more broadly.
