President Donald Trump spent an ultimatum on Saturday to NATO bondmen in a letter and said that the US will only issue “large” sanctions in Russia when they agree to do the same and stop buying oil from Russia.
Meeting Trump's requirements would mean a major shift between the Alliance, and there are big questions about whether there would be collective interest in taking these steps.
“I am ready to do large sanctions against Russia when all NATO countries agreed and started to do the same, and when all NATO countries stop buying oil from Russia,” he said in a position to social media, stating what he said a letter had been sent to his NATO opposeds.
He continued: “As you know, the dedication of NATO to win has been much less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil, by some, is shocking! It weakens your negotiating position enormously and negotiating, about Russia. Anyway, I am ready to 'go' when you are.
The president also called on NATO countries to significantly increase the rates for China in a show of violence.
“I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, that places 50% to 100% rates on China, to be completely withdrawn after the war with Russia and Ukraine, will also be of great help in ending this deadly but ridiculous war,” he said.
Trump added that Russia's war in Ukraine would “quickly” end if those steps were taken.
CNN has reported that the European Union has banned the import of Russian oil and refined oil products such as diesel, but many countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels and liquid natural gas.
The president has repeatedly viewed the possibility of additional sanctions on Russia, and on Friday told 'Fox & Friends' from Fox News that he is considering “striking very hard with sanctions on banks and also dealing with oil and rates.”
He has already doubled the rates to 50% on India, who buy oil from Russia, and acknowledged the move on Friday “caused a gap” with the country. India has argued that it is unfair on the rate increase and calls it 'unjustified', since other countries also do business with Moscow.
Clothing workers sort clothing material for dresses at a clothing production unit in Bengaluru, India, on 25 August 2025. US President Donald Trump has threatened to double the import duties on India from 25% to 50% by 27 August to punish New Delhi for the purchase of oil from Russia, and says the purchase. – Idrees Mohammed/AFP/Getty
It remains unclear whether NATO countries will take these steps that would mark a dramatic deviation from their existing tariff policy.
Earlier this week, when the president spoke with a European delegation of the EU, he forced them to give 50-100% rates on both China and India, according to people who are familiar with the conversation. But in particular, Trump's missive to his NATO opposite hits on Saturday did not mention India. The EU is in the final phase of negotiating a trade agreement with India, so it was unlikely that they would go with it.
Last week after the Trump meeting, European officials said that new rates in China or India were unlikely, because that is not how they approach the use of rates and Europeans were generally more careful in trade wars, especially with China.
And by spending its Russian oil culture on NATO instead of the EU, Trump including Turkey, the third largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India, is in those requirements. The EU has largely cut the oil purchases, with exceptions for Hungary and Slovakia, but Turkey is still a customer who underlines the steep demands.
Momentum To end the war on Trump's 15 August meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, has largely stuck and the latest requirements of Trump risks to further extend the conflict. Time is a valuable raw material for Putin, giving Russia the opportunity to make more profit on the battlefield and to strengthen control of occupied areas.
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