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U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he is ready to impose major new sanctions on Russia, but only if all NATO allies agree to halt purchases of Russian oil and introduce their own penalties.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, described as a letter to “all NATO nations and the world,” Trump also floated the idea of the alliance imposing tariffs of 50% to 100% on China, which he said would pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.
“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 on Truth Social. “Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when?”
Trump has repeatedly threatened to escalate sanctions on Moscow, including last weekend, after Russia carried out its largest-ever aerial barrage on Ukraine. Kyiv has expressed frustration that the U.S. president has yet to follow through.
Trump, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin last month at a summit in Alaska, called NATO states’ continued purchase of Russian oil “shocking,” saying it undermines their leverage.
He also argued that punitive tariffs on China would weaken Beijing’s ties with Moscow. “China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful tariffs will break that grip,” he said.
“If the 32-member alliance does as I say, the war will end quickly. If not, you are just wasting my time,” Trump added.
Trump said tariffs on China would be lifted once the Russia-Ukraine war ends. He has also threatened secondary sanctions on countries that continue to import Russian oil. Last month, he imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s ongoing purchases of Russian crude.
China has deepened cooperation with Russia, holding a high-profile summit with Putin in Beijing earlier this year.
The Group of Seven and the European Union have already imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow, including a price cap on Russian oil. In response, Russia has redirected sales toward China and India.
The 27-member EU has pledged to phase out all Russian fossil fuel imports by 2028.
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