The US President Donald Trump has threatened to halt arms supplies to Ukraine in an attempt to pressure European allies into joining a “coalition of the willing” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The move comes as Iran has effectively closed the vital waterway following US-Israeli strikes in late February, disrupting a route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes.
Last month, Trump urged NATO allies to help reopen the Strait, but European capitals resisted, arguing that such an operation would be unworkable while the conflict remains active. Keir Starmer made clear that the crisis was “not our war,” reflecting broader reluctance across Europe to become directly involved.
According to reports, Trump warned he could withdraw support from PURL, a key mechanism through which European countries fund arms supplies to Kyiv. The threat prompted urgent diplomatic efforts among NATO members.
In response, a group of countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, issued a hastily coordinated statement on March 19, declaring:
“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”
The push for unity was driven in part by Mark Rutte, who is said to have insisted on the joint statement following Mr Trump’s threats. Officials indicated that Mr Rutte held multiple calls with Mr Trump and Marco Rubio in the days leading up to the announcement.
One official briefed on the discussions described Mr Trump as “rather hysterical” over Europe’s refusal to act, underscoring the intensity of the transatlantic dispute.
British officials acknowledged that discussions on securing the Strait had taken place on a “military-to-military basis,” but did not deny that Washington had used leverage over support for Ukraine to push its case.
The White House signalled its frustration in stark terms. Anna Kelly said:
“President Trump has made his disappointment with NATO and other allies clear… the United States will remember.”
Trump has repeatedly criticised European allies for what he sees as an imbalance in commitments, arguing that the United States bears the burden of defending NATO while receiving insufficient support in return.
The episode highlights a deepening rift within the alliance, as the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Gulf become increasingly intertwined. For European leaders, the challenge lies in maintaining support for Kyiv while avoiding direct entanglement in a widening Middle East conflict.
As tensions escalate, the Strait of Hormuz has become not only a strategic chokepoint for global energy supplies, but also a focal point for geopolitical leverage—where military, economic, and diplomatic pressures converge.
