Photo: EPA
US President Donald Trump called on NATO to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Alliance countries benefit from the region just as the US has, having supported Ukraine. He warned that without allied support, the future of NATO could be at risk. Trump also suggested deploying European mine countermeasure vessels to safeguard shipping.
He noted that the Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for about 20% of global oil supplies, and Iran’s effective blockade has pushed prices up to $106 per barrel. Trump emphasized that European countries and China are more dependent on regional oil than the US and therefore should contribute to security efforts.
Amid these developments, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia earned around $10 billion in two weeks due to sanctions relief and the Middle East conflict, increasing the risk of escalation against Ukraine. For China, this creates additional challenges in energy, military exports, and the Belt and Road Initiative.
