Trump to hammer sanctions on Russia if NATO halts oil purchase
Former President Donald Trump expressed on Saturday his willingness to impose sanctions on Moscow, contingent upon all NATO allies agreeing to completely stop buying Russian oil and enacting their own sanctions.He also proposed that NATO members consider implementing tariffs ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent on China as part of efforts to help conclude Russia's conflict with Ukraine.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, which he referred to as a letter addressed to NATO countries and the global community, Trump wrote, “I am prepared to impose major sanctions on Russia once all NATO nations have consented and initiated similar action, and when all NATO nations CEASE PURCHASING OIL FROM RUSSIA.”
Trump has consistently warned Russia of further sanctions — including last weekend following a significant aerial assault against Ukraine — as a means to undermine the revenue Moscow relies on for its prolonged war, yet he has not yet acted on these threats, leaving Kyiv frustrated.
The president, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month during a summit in Alaska, criticized the NATO countries’ purchase of Russian oil as “shocking” and stated it diminishes their negotiating leverage with Moscow.
Trump also mentioned the possibility of NATO putting tariffs on China, which is thought to have increased its strategic partnership with Moscow and recently held a prominent summit with Putin in Beijing.
He remarked, “I believe that (NATO sanctions on Russia), combined with NATO, as a collective, imposing tariffs of 50% to 100% on CHINA, to be fully lifted after the WAR between Russia and Ukraine concludes, will significantly aid in ENDING this dreadful yet ABSURD WAR.” Trump added, “China has substantial control, and even dominance, over Russia, and these significant tariffs will undermine that dominance.”
He concluded with a warning, stating, “If the 32-member alliance follows my directives, the WAR will swiftly come to an end; if not, you are merely wasting my time.”
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