Urgent Call for Action: Trump Pressures Turkey to Halt Russian Oil Imports

Wed Oct 22 2025 14:13:08 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent meeting at the White House, President Trump urged Turkish President Erdogan to stop purchasing oil from Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, aiming to curb Moscow's energy revenue.

During a significant Oval Office meeting, President Trump emphasized to Turkish President Erdogan that ceasing imports of Russian oil would be a crucial step in opposing Russia's actions in Ukraine. While discussions on the sale of F-35 jets and lifting US sanctions on Turkey took place, no definitive agreements were reached. The meeting highlights Turkey's role as one of Moscow's major oil customers and Trump's efforts to influence its energy decisions amid geopolitical tensions.

US President Donald Trump has urged Turkey to stop buying oil from Russia, part of a wider drive to cut off Moscow's energy funding as the war in Ukraine rages on.

Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, Trump said halting those imports would be the best thing his Turkish counterpart could do.

The Oval Office meeting ended without any firm commitments to lift US sanctions on Turkey or to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets, though Trump expressed optimism on both issues.

Turkey has for years been prevented from buying US F-35s. In 2019, it was expelled from a programme where it produced parts for the warplane after it acquired air defence systems from Russia.

During a brief question-and-answer session alongside Erdogan, Trump said he would like Turkey to stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues its rampage against Ukraine.

The best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia, Trump stated. If he did that, that would be the best thing.

Trump added that he believes Erdogan is respected by both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, implying that Turkey could have significant influence on the conflict.

Alongside India and China, Turkey is among Moscow's biggest customers for oil and gas exports. Recent data indicates that the volume of Russian gas exported to Europe through Turkey has increased by over 26% since the beginning of the year.

Trump's remarks follow his indication that the US is prepared to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if NATO members meet certain conditions, including halting imports of Russian oil.

Earlier this week, during a lengthy speech at the UN General Assembly, he accused NATO allies of funding the war against themselves through their energy purchases from Moscow.

In the context of the ongoing geopolitical tensions, Trump's meeting with Erdogan emphasized the strategic importance of Turkey in relation to Russian energy supplies, and the implications this has for the wider conflict in Ukraine.

Trump's insistence on curbing Turkey's oil trade with Russia reflects a broader strategy to destabilize Russia's economic foundation while navigating complex diplomatic relationships.