Trump threatened to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine unless Europe steps up in Iran War

President Trump has threatened to cut off all U.S. weapons supplies to Ukraine unless European allies immediately join a military coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow waterway has been closed by Iran for more than a month following U.S. and Israeli strikes in late February, choking roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments.

Trump demanded that Nato navies help force the strait open last month. European capitals refused, arguing the conflict was “not our war.”

In response Trump warned he would halt deliveries through PURL, Nato’s European-funded weapons procurement program for Ukraine, and potentially withdraw U.S. support from Kyiv entirely.

Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte held multiple urgent calls with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. At Rutte’s urging, France, Germany and the UK rushed out a joint statement on March 19 declaring their readiness to contribute to safe passage through the strait. Additional countries later signed on.

Rutte told European leaders that Trump had grown “rather hysterical” over their refusal to assist.

Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration that the United States continues to protect Europe from Russia while Europeans refuse to help America against Iran.

“We’re there to protect Nato, to protect them from Russia. But they’re not there to protect us. It’s ridiculous,” he said during a recent cabinet meeting.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Friday that no Ukraine-bound supplies have been diverted yet to the Middle East war.

“Nothing yet has been diverted,” he said, but added that the U.S. would prioritize its own needs: “If we need something for America and it’s American, we’re going to keep it for America first.”