US President Donald Trump has urged all NATO countries to cease purchasing Russian oil and impose tariffs on China, ranging from 50 to 100 percent. In a social media post on Saturday, Trump questioned the commitment of NATO member states to achieving a victorious outcome in the war in Ukraine. He emphasized that the continued acquisition of Russian oil by some member countries undermines NATO’s negotiating position with Moscow.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2023, several NATO member states, including Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, have remained significant buyers of Russian oil. Turkey is currently the third largest purchaser of Russian oil. This dependence on Russian fuel has raised concerns about the effectiveness of NATO’s response to the conflict.
Trump’s statement comes shortly after an incident in which Russian drones entered Polish airspace and were subsequently shot down by NATO aircraft. However, the US president downplayed the significance of the incident, suggesting that it could have been a mistake. Despite this, Trump has faced criticism for his slower pace in exerting pressure on Moscow to bring an end to the war.
Recent talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to yield any progress towards a peaceful resolution. The US Congress is currently seeking to pass a bill that would strengthen sanctions against Russia, but Trump has yet to express support for the measure. In his social media post, Trump suggested that a NATO ban on Russian oil, combined with tariffs on China, would be highly beneficial in bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump also proposed that NATO countries impose tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China, with the option to withdraw these tariffs if the war in Ukraine comes to an end. He claimed that China exerts significant control over Russia and that imposing such tariffs would help to break this grip. The US president has already introduced a 25 percent import tax on goods from India due to its purchase of Russian energy products.
The US Trade Representative and Treasury Secretary have called on their counterparts in the Group of Seven to present a unified front in cutting off revenue streams that fund Putin’s war efforts. Trump’s post emphasizes the need for collective action to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and highlights the role that NATO member states can play in exerting pressure on Russia. The situation remains a key focus of international attention, with ongoing developments likely to have significant implications for global relations and security.