President Donald Trump has delivered an ultimatum to NATO allies, warning that the United States will impose sweeping sanctions on Russia only if all member states agree to follow suit and immediately halt purchases of Russian oil.
In a letter sent Saturday to NATO counterparts — which Trump also quoted on social media — the president wrote:
“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 accused NATO countries of weakening their collective bargaining power by continuing to purchase Russian energy supplies. “The purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when?” he added.
Alongside his Russia sanctions demand, Trump also urged the alliance to impose steep tariffs on China. He suggested tariffs of 50–100%, which would be lifted only after the war in Ukraine ends. “This will be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR,” he said.
The European Union has already banned Russian maritime oil imports and refined products like diesel, though several member states continue importing liquefied natural gas. Eurostat reports EU oil imports from Russia plunged from €14.06 billion in early 2021 to €1.48 billion in early 2025.
Still, the bloc imported €36 billion in Russian goods in 2024. And while Washington has leaned heavily on tariffs, European officials signaled last week that they are unlikely to follow suit, particularly against China, as Brussels is wary of entering a trade war.
Trump has already raised tariffs on India to 50% over its oil purchases from Russia — a move he acknowledged “caused a rift” with New Delhi. The EU, meanwhile, is finalizing a trade deal with India, making further alignment on tariffs unlikely.
By directing his ultimatum to NATO instead of the EU, Trump broadened the demand to include Turkey, which remains one of Russia’s largest oil buyers after China and India.
Trump’s hardline stance comes amid stalled momentum to end the war following his August 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Analysts warn that delaying a united sanctions front could play into Moscow’s strategy, allowing Russia more time to consolidate gains.
Meanwhile, Russia shows no signs of easing its military campaign. On Saturday, Romania said it intercepted a drone during Russian strikes on Ukraine. Two F-16 jets tracked the drone until it disappeared from radar near the Danube River, though it never flew over populated areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone operated in NATO airspace for nearly an hour, calling it “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia.”
The incident follows Russian drones breaching Polish airspace earlier in the week, which prompted NATO to strengthen defenses along its eastern flank. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the incursions “unacceptable and dangerous,” while urging de-escalation.
For now, NATO allies remain divided on Trump’s demands. Whether they can unite on sanctions and tariffs may determine both the trajectory of the war and the future cohesion of the alliance.
Image:
Reuters
