President Trump demanded that NATO allies pause their purchases of Russian oil as the president is considering new sanctions against the country.
“Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don’t want them to buy oil — and the sanctions that they’re putting on are not tough enough,” Trump told reporters. “And I’m willing to do sanctions, but they’re going to have to toughen up their sanctions commensurate with what I’m doing.”
The comments follow a letter Trump sent to NATO nations, which read, “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.”
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip,” the letter read.
“As you know, NATO’s commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position and bargaining power over Russia,” Trump wrote. The letter added, “If NATO does as i say, the WAR will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently told Fox Business that the Trump administration is prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia amid a renewed Russian bombing campaign in Ukraine. He emphasized, “all options are on the table,” suggesting readiness to escalate economic pressure unless President Putin alters his conduct.
