Washington, – U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that he is prepared to impose sweeping new sanctions on Russia—but only if NATO allies meet a key condition: ending their purchases of Russian oil.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that he is ready to enact “major sanctions against Russia” once NATO countries “agree collectively, and begin, to do the same.”
While Trump has repeatedly issued stern warnings to Moscow, he has yet to follow through with concrete measures. Kremlin officials have largely brushed off his ultimatums, suggesting they see little credibility in his threats without allied backing.
European NATO members, particularly Germany and several Eastern European states, remain dependent on Russian energy imports despite the war in Ukraine and multiple Western calls for diversification. Trump branded such purchases “astonishing,” arguing they undermine both NATO unity and Western leverage over Moscow.
In the same statement, Trump floated an additional proposal: imposing a 50–100% tariff on Chinese goods, claiming such a move would weaken what he described as Russia’s “stronghold of support” from Beijing.
Trump has long been critical of NATO, accusing allies of failing to pay their “fair share” and of undermining U.S. global influence.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the West has imposed multiple sanctions packages targeting Moscow’s banks, oligarchs, and energy exports. Yet loopholes remain, particularly through oil purchases.
Trump’s demand marks a sharp escalation in linking NATO’s internal economic choices directly to U.S. foreign policy against Russia.
