President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to NATO allies, stating that the United States will impose "major" sanctions on Russia only if all NATO countries agree to do the same and cease purchasing oil from Russia. In a letter sent on Saturday (September 13), Trump emphasized that NATO's commitment to ending Russia's war in Ukraine has been insufficient, and he criticized the continued purchase of Russian oil by some members as weakening their negotiating power.
Trump's demands, if met, would represent a significant shift in the alliance's approach to the conflict. The president also suggested that NATO members consider imposing tariffs of 50% to 100% on China, with the aim of ending the war quickly. He believes that these actions, alongside the sanctions, would expedite the resolution of the conflict.
According to CNN, the European Union has already banned maritime Russian oil imports, but several countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels and liquefied natural gas. Turkey, a NATO member, remains a significant buyer of Russian oil, alongside China and India.
Trump has previously threatened additional sanctions on Russia but has yet to follow through. His recent demands come amid heightened tensions, with Russian drones entering NATO airspace over Poland, leading to a new mission to strengthen NATO's eastern defenses.
The possibility of NATO adopting these measures remains uncertain, as European officials have expressed skepticism about imposing new tariffs on China or India. The outcome of Trump's ultimatum could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict and international trade relations.