President Donald Trump says the war in Ukraine could be brought to a close if NATO countries stopped buying Russian oil and slapped steep tariffs on China for purchasing it.
In a post on Truth Social Saturday, Trump shared what he said was a letter to NATO leaders, declaring he was “ready to do major sanctions on Russia” — but only if every NATO member halted Russian oil imports. He accused the alliance of showing “far less than 100%” commitment to winning the war and called ongoing purchases of Russian oil by some members “shocking.”
“It greatly weakens your negotiation position, and bargaining power, over Russia,” Trump wrote.
Oil Purchases Under Fire
Since 2023, NATO member Turkey has been the third‑largest buyer of Russian oil, trailing only China and India, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Hungary and Slovakia — also NATO members — continue to import Russian oil as well.
Tensions After Drone Incursion
Trump’s letter comes amid heightened tensions after multiple Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting Poland to shoot several down. NATO officials see the move as an escalation.
Earlier this week, Trump appeared to downplay the incident, telling reporters Thursday it “could have been a mistake.” A day earlier, he posted: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!”
The White House offered no clarification, while Poland’s top officials dismissed Trump’s suggestion it was accidental.
Campaign Promise and Sanctions Push
On the campaign trail, Trump has vowed to end the war quickly. Some lawmakers are urging him to back a bill imposing tougher sanctions, following his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska — talks that failed to produce progress toward peace.
In his post, Trump argued that a NATO‑wide oil ban and tariffs on China would be “of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.” He proposed tariffs of 50% to 100% on China, to be lifted if the war — launched by Russia’s 2022 invasion — ends.
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia,” Trump wrote, adding that heavy tariffs “will break that grip.”
Targeting India Too
Trump has already imposed an extra 25% import tax on goods from India, saying it was punishment for buying Russian energy products.
He also placed blame for the war on his predecessor, Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — but notably not on Putin, who ordered the invasion.
G7 Call for Unity
Trump’s post followed a Friday call with finance ministers from the Group of Seven nations. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged a “unified front” to cut off “the revenues funding Putin’s war machine,” according to Greer’s office.
