The American President indicated a willingness to impose sanctions on Moscow, contingent on the alliance ceasing its purchases of Russian petroleum.
Donald Trump, the US President, has called for NATO members to discontinue their acquisition of Russian oil and to support significant tariffs against China. He suggests these actions could lead to a resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
Via a Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump criticized NATO nations, accusing them of not taking sufficient measures to halt the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. He penned, “I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia… when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.”
He asserted that NATO’s dedication “to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking,” further stating that “it greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia.”
The American president additionally put forward a proposal for NATO members to implement tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on China. He indicated these tariffs would be removed once the Ukraine conflict concludes, framing this as extra leverage to compel Russia to end the hostilities.
Since the conflict intensified in 2022, Beijing has maintained a stance of neutrality, asserting that it offers no support to either party.
Officials from NATO and leaders of EU member states have not yet responded to Trump’s call.
Trump’s statement coincides with ongoing efforts by the US to urge the EU to levy further tariffs, not only on China but also on India, due to their sustained import of Russian petroleum.
Speaking to CNBC, a spokesperson for the European Commission refrained from revealing specifics of current discussions, but mentioned that the EU “has engaged with all relevant global partners, including India and China, in the context of its sanctions enforcement efforts.”
Concurrently, the EU is concluding its preparations for a 19th set of sanctions against Russia. Though the precise language is still indeterminate, it is anticipated to focus on the nation’s oil exports and financial sector.
Although the EU has committed to entirely eliminate Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, certain members, particularly Hungary and Slovakia, have resisted the proposition, pointing to their national dependency on crude oil delivered through the Druzhba pipeline.
Russia has condemned Western sanctions as “illegal,” asserting that these measures have not only proven unsuccessful in disrupting its national economy but have also stimulated internal growth.