U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened European allies with suspending arms deliveries to Ukraine in order to pressure them into participating in efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on April 1, citing sources.
According to the newspaper, in March Trump demanded that NATO naval forces assist the United States in restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which was effectively closed following the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. European countries refused to take part in the operation, after which the U.S. president threatened to withdraw from the PURL program — a NATO initiative that enables European countries to finance the purchase of U.S. weapons for Ukraine.
Shortly afterward, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte managed to align the position of key alliance members. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on March 19 expressing their readiness to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
One official told the Financial Times that it was Rutte who pushed for the statement, as Trump had threatened to exit the PURL program and more broadly end support for Ukraine. According to sources, two days before the statement was released, Rutte held several phone calls with Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Another source noted that during discussions with representatives of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Rutte said Trump was “furious” over Europe’s refusal to take part in protecting the Strait of Hormuz.
The declaration on maritime security, adopted on March 19, has already been endorsed by 35 countries. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on April 1 that he intends to discuss this week with the signatories the formation of a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “after the cessation of hostilities.”
At the same time, Marco Rubio stated on March 27 that U.S. military aid deliveries to Ukraine through the PURL mechanism had not been affected by the Middle East conflict. However, he acknowledged that the United States could redirect weapons originally intended for Ukraine for use in the war against Iran. Ukrainian authorities said on March 29 that they had received assurances from Washington that such deliveries would not be diverted to the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy routes, with around one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through it. As previously reported by The Wall Street Journal, Trump told his advisers that he is prepared to end the military campaign against Iran even if the strait remains closed.
