Europeans were actually buying more Russian oil and gas than they were helping Ukraine... So in some ways, the Europeans are funding both sides of the war.

OK, who is that guy, and what did he do with Jake Tapper?

CNN's Jake Tapper admits that Europeans are funding both sides of the war in Ukraine.

"Europeans were actually buying more Russian oil and gas than they were helping Ukraine... So in some ways, the Europeans are funding both sides of the war."

Wow, if only someone had called… pic.twitter.com/IBBMgeGS6z

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 4, 2025

Make that "are actually buying," Jake.

Just one problem. President Donald Trump in 2018 warned, during an address to the United Nations:

Germany will become totally independent on Russian energy it it does not immediately change course. Here in the Western Hemisphere, we are committed to maintaining our independence from the encroachment of expansionist foreign powers. 

The German delegation can be seen laughing as Trump speaks. So how'd that all turn out, Deutschland?

ALSO READ: Trump Blasts EU’s Hypocrisy: More Money to Russia Than Ukraine!

Trump also told German leaders during a 2018 meeting in Brussels:

I think it's very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia, where you're supposed to guarding against Russia — and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions a year to Russia. 

So we're protecting Germany; we're protecting France; we're protecting all of these countries, and then numerous of the countries go out and make a pipeline deal with Russia where they're paying billions of dollars into the coffers of Russia. ... You tell me; is that appropriate?

Of course it's not only not appropriate, it's also hypocritical to the max. In a word, it's Europe. It's what the Europeans have done for generations — all the while counting on America to pick up the pieces that this country didn't break.

As Fox News reported on Monday, the ever-hypocritical European Union spent more on Russian fossil fuels than Ukraine aid in 2024.

Despite a raft of sanctions and tough talk against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Europe could not seem to kick its dependence on Russian fuel last year. 

The European Union (EU) spent $23 billion on Russian oil and gas in the third year of the war on Ukraine, more than the $19.6 billion in financial aid it offered to the war-ravaged nation last year, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. 

{...}

Europe’s Russian fuel dependence, in large part, is due to the Biden administration’s restrictions on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, according to Bass. President Donald Trump lifted that pause in a day-one executive order.

[...]

The re-gasification and distribution infrastructure isn’t optimized for importing from elsewhere. They rely on pipelines [that originate] from Russia," Bass said.

Memo to Europe: Tough talk without demonstrable actions is worse than no talk at all.

Memo to American fossil-fuel scolds: Yep, Joe "Climate change is the existential threat of mankind" Biden really showed Europe (and Russia), huh? Please.

As I reported on Monday, military historian and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson delivered a reality check to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he also filleted European leaders and their words without actions (emphasis, mine). 

I think this is the key to it. The people that Zelenskyy does not feel comfortable with or doesn't like — the MAGA movement, the conservative Republicans — they have the power over his fate. 

And the people that he dalliances with, and he feels comfortable, and he's a rock star with — the Europeans and the American left — don't have any power. The Europeans talk a great game, but they have not come through with the economic and financial and military assistance as was promised. And the American left that has made him a rock star — they're not in power now. 

So he has to understand that that he has to get along with the president. That means you come in with a suit, you do not interrupt, and you cut a deal that's mutually beneficial on the mineral concessions. That creates a de facto commercial tripwire, roughly along a DMZ [demilitarized zone], and now you have a basis for a lasting peace.

My final wish, I wish that today as I'm speaking, or in the ensuing weeks, the two sides can come together because we're very, very close to peace and it's in Donald Trump's interest to get the credit that he deserves for it, and to stop the Stalingrad of the 21st century.

Bingo.

READ MORE: Victor Davis Hanson Delivers Brutal, Bottom-Line Reality Check to 'Rock Star' Zelensky

Meanwhile, as reported by Europe-loving, American taxpayer-funded NPR (National Public Radio) on Saturday:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy got a warm welcome in London on Saturday as leaders across Europe rallied to his defense on the heels of an extraordinary Oval Office clash in which President Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of "gambling with World War III."

In Zelenskyy's first official meeting since the row — which also included Vice President JD Vance and took place in full view of the media — British Prime Minister Kier Starmer embraced Zelenskyy as the two met at 10 Downing Street. Starmer told the Ukrainian leader that he has "full backing across the United Kingdom."

And this was my favorite part:

Meanwhile, many of Europe's leaders pushed back against the Trump administration's perceived alignment with Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and the apparent browbeating of Zelenskyy.

Wait— who's backing Russia? And with money, not words?

As is the case with America's Democrat Party, the hypocrisy of Europe knows no bounds.