NextFin news, US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is prepared to impose significant new sanctions on Russia, but only on the condition that all NATO member nations agree to stop purchasing Russian crude oil and impose tariffs ranging from 50 to 100 percent on China. This announcement was made via a post on his social media platform Truth Social.
Trump emphasized that NATO's commitment to winning the war in Ukraine has been insufficient, criticizing some members for continuing to buy Russian oil, which he said weakens their negotiating position against Russia. He stated, "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." He added that without collective action, NATO nations are "wasting" the United States' time.
The US president's demands also include imposing steep tariffs on China, Russia's main ally, to reduce China's economic support for Russia's war effort. Trump suggested these tariffs should be fully withdrawn after the war between Russia and Ukraine ends.
This call for coordinated action comes amid ongoing efforts by Washington and its allies to demonstrate resolve against Moscow's aggression in Ukraine. However, Trump's stance has been viewed as inconsistent, with previous threats of sanctions on Russia not fully materializing, causing frustration among Ukrainian officials.
European Union President Ursula von der Leyen has clarified that the EU's sanctions do not apply extra-territorially, highlighting the complexity of aligning NATO and EU policies. Notably, some NATO members like Türkiye continue to purchase Russian oil, complicating the alliance's unified stance.
Energy exports remain Russia's primary source of revenue to finance its military operations in Ukraine, making oil and gas sanctions a critical focus of Western strategies. However, experts warn that aggressive restrictions on Russian crude risk driving up global oil prices, potentially straining Western economies and public support for sanctions.
Trump's announcement on Saturday followed a series of escalating conditions he has set for imposing sanctions on Russia, including demands for negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, none of which have yet occurred.
The announcement was made on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in the United States, with global implications for NATO countries and their policies toward Russia and China.
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