US President Donald Trump has stated he is ready to impose tougher sanctions against Russia, contingent upon NATO countries stopping their purchases of Russian oil. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his preparedness to enact major sanctions on Russia once NATO members agree and start similar actions.
He labeled the purchase of Russian oil as shocking and suggested imposing tariffs on China ranging from 50% to 100% to weaken its influence over Russia.
Trump's call for action comes amid growing tensions between NATO allies and Russia, particularly after Russian drones entered Polish airspace. NATO countries are reportedly planning to bolster their eastern defenses in response.
He emphasized that the continued purchase of Russian oil undermines NATO's negotiation strength with Russia. This sentiment has echoed sentiments expressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging European nations to halt all dealings with Russia as the war continues.
Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Europe has significantly reduced its reliance on Russian gas, but Trump's statements suggest he believes more aggressive actions are necessary. He addressed NATO nations directly, calling for a unified front against Russian energy purchases to enhance Europe's bargaining position and expedite an end to the conflict.
