U.S. President Donald Trump has urged NATO nations to take stronger and united steps against Russia. He said he is ready to impose major sanctions, but only if all NATO members agree and act together. Trump highlighted Europe’s continued purchase of Russian oil as one of the biggest problems that weakens international pressure on Moscow.
Trump stressed that while the United States has already stopped buying oil from Russia, many European countries still rely heavily on it. He said this undermines the impact of sanctions and sends a confusing signal to Russia. “They’re not doing the job. NATO has to get together. Europe has to get together,” he said during a press briefing.
He made it clear that sanctions will only work if all allies participate. Europe cannot expect to punish Russia while continuing business with it. Trump described current European actions as “not tough enough” and argued that stronger, coordinated measures are essential.
Trump also criticised the ongoing import of liquefied natural gas from Russia. He said energy in any form should not be purchased while sanctions are in place. According to him, whether it is oil, gas, or even smaller goods, the principle is simple: stop buying from Russia.
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Trump’s Letter to NATO Nations
Recently, Trump sent a direct letter to NATO members. In the letter, he wrote that he is ready for “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.”
In the same letter, Trump suggested a bold measure aimed at increasing pressure on Russia by targeting China. He proposed that NATO impose tariffs ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent on China. Trump argued that China has strong control over Russia and that these tariffs would reduce China’s influence and support for Moscow.
Trump also noted that the tariffs should remain in place until the war between Russia and Ukraine comes to an end. He said these economic measures could be a powerful way to cut Russia’s access to resources and push for a resolution to the conflict.
In his letter, Trump emphasised that these steps would not only be sanctions but also a signal to Russia and China that NATO is united. He said, “These powerful tariffs will break that grip,” underscoring the need for coordinated international action.
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Sharp Criticism of Current Actions
Trump did not stop at proposing new measures. He also strongly criticised President Joe Biden and the previous administration for how the war has been handled. He said, “This is not TRUMP’S WAR (it would never have started if I were President!), it is Biden’s and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s WAR.”
Trump said he is stepping in now to help reduce the number of lives lost in the conflict. He mentioned thousands of casualties in recent days, calling the situation “crazy” and highlighting the urgency of stronger action.
When asked about hosting a summit to help Russia and Ukraine communicate, Trump said he is open to it. However, he noted that hostility between the two sides makes it difficult for them to even sit down together. “They hate each other so much they almost can’t talk,” he said.
Despite his frustrations with NATO’s current pace, Trump insisted that he is ready to move forward with sanctions. He stressed that he will not act alone and that unity among NATO members is essential. His message was clear: Europe must stop buying Russian energy, NATO must toughen sanctions, and only then can real pressure be applied on Moscow.