The Financial Times reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt arms shipments to Ukraine if European countries did not join the "Volunteers' Coalition" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was closed following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. On March 19, France, Germany, the UK, and several other countries issued a joint statement announcing their readiness to participate in ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.