U.S. President Donald Trump has called on his allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to impose major sanctions on Russia and halt purchases of Russian oil to end the war in Ukraine. He also proposed imposing tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on China to weaken its economic influence over Russia.
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In a message to NATO countries, Trump said:
"I am ready to impose major sanctions on Russia when all NATO countries agree and start doing the same, and when all NATO countries stop buying oil from Russia."
Trump criticized NATO’s commitment, stating:
"NATO’s commitment to victory has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil by some countries was shocking! This greatly weakens your negotiating position and strength against Russia."
He emphasized his readiness to act, adding:
"Anyway, I am ready to act when you are ready. Just tell me when."
Trump also suggested that NATO impose tariffs between 50% and 100% on China, stating:
"I believe that, in addition to NATO as a group imposing tariffs of 50% to 100% on China, which would be fully withdrawn after the war between Russia and Ukraine ends, this would be very helpful in ending this deadly—but foolish—war."
He continued:
"China has a strong, even tight grip on Russia, and these strong tariffs would break that grip."
Trump criticized the previous administration, saying:
"This is not Trump’s war (it wouldn’t have started if I were president!), it is Biden and Zelensky’s war. I am here only to help end it and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives (7,118 people died just last week—that’s crazy!)."
He believes that if NATO follows his suggestions, the war will end quickly, saving lives. He said:
"If NATO does as I say, the war will end quickly, and all those lives will be saved! If not, you are wasting my time and the United States’ time, effort, and money."
The proposal comes after Trump recently imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods due to New Delhi continuing to import Russian oil, while no similar action has been taken against China so far.
On Friday, Trump expressed growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the challenges in resolving the Ukraine crisis and the need for cooperation from both sides.
In an interview with Fox & Friends on Fox News, when asked if he was losing patience with Putin, Trump said:
"It is running out fast, but it takes two sides… when Putin wanted to act, Zelensky did not want to. When Zelensky wanted to, Putin did not… we have to be very, very tough."
At the same time, Trump said he is ready to impose additional sanctions on Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. When asked if he is prepared to move to the second stage of sanctions and punish Putin, he replied:
"Yes, I am ready…"
Trump also accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of “conspiring against the United States” following China’s largest-ever military parade on September 3, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The parade marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Hours after accusing Xi, Trump stated that his personal relations with the Chinese leadership remain “very good.”
—Agencies
