President Donald Trump threatened to withhold weapons deliveries to Ukraine in an effort to pressure European allies into participating in an operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a report in the Financial Times said, citing people familiar with the conversations.
According to the report, the president asked last month for NATO navies to assist in reopening the narrow maritime passage. European capitals responded that such an effort would not be possible while the conflict continues. Several countries also told U.S. officials that, in their view, the situation was "not our war."
As part of the pressure campaign, Mr. Trump reportedly warned he would stop supplies to PURL, NATO's weapons procurement initiative started for Ukraine. The reported threat to interrupt weapons shipments to Ukraine was framed as a means of persuading partners to join what the president termed a "coalition of the willing" to take action in the Hormuz region.
The report lays out three linked elements: a U.S. appeal for NATO naval assistance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; explicit refusals from several European capitals on grounds of feasibility and the ongoing conflict; and a presidential warning to suspend deliveries through PURL as leverage to change those positions. The Financial Times account cited people familiar with the discussions for the details.
Officials in Europe are reported to have declined the request on the basis that conducting such operations would be impossible while the fighting continues. The comment that the matter was "not our war" reflects resistance among multiple capitals to commit naval forces to the proposed operation.
According to the reporting, the threat to cut off Ukraine weapons represents an attempt by the White House to build a willing coalition among other nations for an operation in the Strait of Hormuz. No additional operational or timing details were provided in the report.
Summary: A Financial Times report, citing people familiar with discussions, says President Trump threatened to stop weapons deliveries to Ukraine to push European allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after NATO naval assistance was requested and declined by several capitals.