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President Donald Trump said Saturday he is prepared to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia — but only after all NATO allies agree to take similar steps, including halting their purchases of Russian oil.
Trump also urged NATO countries to adopt “50% to 100% tariffs on China,” which he said should remain in place until Russia ends its war in Ukraine.
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful tariffs will break that grip,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, adding that it reflected the text of a letter sent to NATO nations and “the world.”
Trump shifts focus to NATO action
The president has repeatedly threatened economic punishment against Russia but has so far stopped short of enacting major sanctions. Earlier this month, Trump suggested he was preparing a “second phase” of penalties but held off while seeking to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.
Analysts say Trump’s hesitation has been partly motivated by concerns that a weakened Russia would deepen ties with China, potentially strengthening Beijing’s global position. “If Russia is defeated … then it has no choice but to go even further all-in with China,” said Chris Weafer, chief executive of the Moscow-based consultancy Macro-Advisory.
Trump’s Saturday statement signaled a sharper turn toward collective pressure from NATO members. “As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking!” Trump wrote.
Criticism of NATO energy dependence
Some alliance members, including Hungary and Slovakia, have continued buying Russian fossil fuels despite U.S. pressure. Trump said such purchases weaken the West’s leverage. “It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia,” he wrote.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright echoed the president’s call on Friday, saying: “We want to displace all Russian gas. President Trump, America, and all the nations of the EU, we want to end the Russian-Ukraine war.”
