Trump links action to energy policy
US President Donald Trump said he is ready to impose stronger sanctions on Russia. But he demanded that Nato members first stop importing Russian oil. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote he was “ready for major sanctions on Russia” once Nato states had “agreed and started to do the same.”
Trump has repeatedly threatened tougher measures against Moscow. Yet he has not acted when the Kremlin ignored his deadlines. He called the purchase of Russian oil “shocking.” He also urged Nato to apply tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China. He argued that would weaken Beijing’s “strong control” over Russia.
Trump delivers direct message to Nato
In what he described as a letter to Nato members, Trump wrote: “I am ready to go when you are. Just say when.” He added: “The purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position with Russia.” He claimed that stopping Russian energy imports combined with tariffs on China would help end the war. He said the tariffs should be “fully withdrawn” after the conflict.
Europe reduces Russian energy dependence
Europe’s reliance on Russian energy has fallen sharply since the invasion began. In 2022, the EU imported about 45 percent of its gas from Russia. That figure is expected to drop to around 13 percent this year. Trump’s remarks suggest he considers this reduction insufficient.
His statement came amid rising tensions between Nato and Moscow. More than a dozen Russian drones entered Polish airspace on Wednesday. Warsaw called it deliberate. Moscow dismissed the claim and said it had “no plans to target facilities in Poland.”
Nato strengthens eastern defences
Denmark, France and Germany have joined a Nato mission to reinforce the alliance’s eastern flank. They will move military units eastward. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Europe to halt Russian energy imports. In an interview, he said: “We must stop any purchase of energy from Russia. We cannot make deals if we want to stop them.”
Since 2022, European countries have spent about €210 billion on Russian oil and gas. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reported that much of this money has funded Moscow’s war. The EU has pledged to end Russian energy imports by 2028. Washington wants faster action and offers its own supplies as a replacement.
Turkey remains a key challenge
Trump’s warning targeted Nato, not the EU. That includes Turkey, which still buys large volumes of Russian oil. Ankara also maintains closer ties with Moscow than any other Nato member. Convincing Turkey to stop imports could be especially difficult.
Trump last threatened tougher sanctions in September after Russia’s heaviest strikes on Ukraine. Asked if he was ready for a “second phase” of punishment, he said: “Yes, I am.” But he provided no details. The US had previously imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods. It also applied a 25 percent penalty on Russian-linked transactions that continue to fund the war.
