Trump outlines his demand
US President Donald Trump declared he is ready to impose tougher sanctions on Russia. But he insisted Nato nations must first stop buying Russian oil. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote he was “ready for major sanctions on Russia” once Nato states had “agreed and started to do the same.”
Trump has repeatedly threatened stronger action against Moscow. Yet he has not acted when the Kremlin ignored his warnings. He called the purchase of Russian oil “shocking.” He also suggested Nato impose tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China. He argued that would weaken Beijing’s “strong control” over Russia.
Trump’s direct message to Nato
In what he called a letter to Nato nations, Trump wrote: “I am ready to go when you are. Just say when.” He added: “The purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position with Russia.” He claimed that halting Russian energy imports and imposing tariffs on China would help end the war. He promised the tariffs would be “fully withdrawn” after the conflict.
Europe lowers reliance on Russia
Europe’s dependence on Russian energy has fallen since the invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, the EU imported about 45 percent of its gas from Russia. That figure is expected to drop to 13 percent this year. Trump’s remarks suggest he considers the reduction still insufficient.
His message came during new strains between Nato and Moscow. More than a dozen Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace on Wednesday. Warsaw said the action was deliberate. Moscow dismissed the claim and insisted it had “no plans to target facilities in Poland.”
Nato reinforces eastern flank
Denmark, France and Germany have joined a Nato mission to strengthen the alliance’s eastern defences. They will move military forces eastward. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Europe to halt Russian energy imports. In an interview, he said: “We must stop any purchase of energy from Russia. We cannot make deals if we want to stop them.”
Since 2022, European nations have spent about €210 billion on Russian oil and gas. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reported that much of this has funded Moscow’s war. The EU pledged to end energy imports by 2028. Washington is pushing for faster action and is offering its own energy supplies.
Turkey remains sticking point
Trump’s warning targeted Nato, not the EU. That includes Turkey, which continues to buy significant volumes of Russian oil. Ankara also maintains closer ties with Moscow than any other Nato member. Convincing Turkey to cut imports may prove especially difficult.
Trump last issued threats of harsher sanctions in September after Russia’s heaviest strikes on Ukraine. Asked if he was ready for a “second phase” of punishment, he said: “Yes, I am.” But he offered no details. The US had already imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods. It also applied a 25 percent penalty on Russian-related transactions that continue to fund the war.
