Washington: Europe has spent more on Russian oil and gas than on defending Ukraine against Russia, US President Donald Trump stated on Monday. "Europe has spent more money buying Russian Oil and Gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine - BY FAR!" he announced on Truth Social.

According to Anadolu Agency, EU member states purchased £21.9 billion worth of Russian oil and gas in the third year of its conflict with Ukraine, as estimated by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. This figure exceeds the £18.7 billion that the 27-member bloc allocated to Ukraine in financial aid in 2024, based on figures from a tracker by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Trump has halted military aid to Ukraine following a disagreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, as reported by media sources on Monday citing an unnamed White House official. Trump is seeking a swift resolution to the ongoing three-year conflict, while Zelenskyy has advocated for security guarantees.

In response, European leaders have been working to propose their own peace plan to Trump. The EU, on Tuesday, revealed an pound 800 billion ReArm Europe initiative aimed at increasing defense expenditures over the coming years and providing urgent support to Ukraine.