President Donald Trump said Saturday he will impose “major sanctions” on Russia only after all NATO countries stop purchasing Russian oil and agree to place heavy tariffs on China, setting new conditions for action he has repeatedly promised but failed to deliver.
In a letter posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump told NATO allies their “commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%” and called continued Russian oil purchases by some members “shocking.”
“I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump wrote. “Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when?”
The ultimatum comes amid heightened tensions after Russian drones entered Polish airspace Wednesday, though Trump downplayed the incident as potentially accidental. NATO fighter jets shot down the drones in what alliance officials called a dangerous escalation.
Read: Poland to Send Troops to Ukraine for Counter-Drone Training After Airspace Violations
Trump also demanded NATO countries impose 50% to 100% tariffs on China, arguing “these powerful Tariffs will break” Beijing’s “strong control, and even grip, over Russia.”
While the European Union has dramatically reduced Russian oil imports — from $16.4 billion in the first quarter of 2021 to $1.72 billion in the same period this year — several NATO members continue purchasing Russian energy. Hungary, Slovakia, and Turkey remain among the buyers of Russian oil and liquefied natural gas.
The president has repeatedly threatened to sanction Russia over its war in Ukraine but has not followed through despite multiple self-imposed deadlines. Last month, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska for talks that produced no breakthrough toward peace.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced Trump’s position Friday during a virtual G-7 finance ministers meeting, pressing allies to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian oil as part of what officials called a “unified effort” to cut Russian revenues.
The war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, continues with no clear path to resolution despite Trump’s campaign promises to end the conflict quickly.
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