Trump threatens Ukraine arms cutoff to force Hormuz action

US President Donald Trump has threatened to halt weapons supplies for Ukraine to pressure European allies into joining a US-led effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the Financial Times.

Citing people briefed on the discussions, the Financial Times said Trump warned he could cut support to PURL, Nato’s weapons procurement initiative for Ukraine funded by European countries, if allies refused to join what he described as a “coalition of the willing.”

The move comes as tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint effectively closed by Iran following US and Israeli strikes. Trump has been pushing Nato navies to help reopen the waterway, but several European capitals pushed back, arguing the conflict was “not our war.”

According to officials familiar with the talks, Trump’s threat triggered urgent diplomatic activity within Nato. Secretary-General Mark Rutte pushed for a joint statement from key members including France, Germany and the UK, signalling readiness to support efforts to secure safe passage through the strait.

“It was Rutte who insisted on the joint statement because Trump had threatened to withdraw from Ukraine in general,” one official told the Financial Times, highlighting the pressure on European allies.

Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with Nato, accusing allies of failing to support US priorities. “We’re there to protect Nato But they’re not there to protect us. It’s ridiculous,” he said during a recent cabinet meeting.

Earlier, Trump said in an interview with The Telegraph that he was weighing a possible US withdrawal from Nato, adding to pressure on allies over their stance on Iran. Asked when Washington would consider the war over, Trump said, “I can’t tell you exactly we’re going to be out pretty quickly.”

A White House official said he was expected to repeat his view that the conflict could end within two to three weeks. Trump argued US strikes had already neutralised Iran’s nuclear capability. “They won’t have a nuclear weapon then I’ll leave, and I’ll take everybody with me — and if we have to, we’ll come back for spot hits,” he said.

He had also earlier signalled the US could wind down operations within weeks even without a deal, while stepping up threats to pull out of Nato if European allies did not help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to Reuters, Trump said he would make clear his frustration with what he sees as a lack of support from the alliance.

- Ends

Tune In