Trump Backs Sanctions Once NATO Stops Buying Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump said he’s prepared to move ahead with “major” sanctions on Russian oil if NATO countries do the same, Shiyin Chen and Ros Krasny reported for Bloomberg News.

Several NATO allies — including Hungary — have blocked tougher European Union (EU) proposals to target Russia’s energy sector. (Photo: Администрация Волгоградской области) 

A day after saying he was losing patience with President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he’s “ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.”

While many European nations have cut back or stopped purchasing Russian oil, several NATO allies — including Hungary — have blocked tougher European Union (EU) proposals to target Russia’s energy sector.

Bloomberg also reported that the US planned to urge Group of Seven (G7) allies to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India for their purchases of Russian oil, in an effort to pressure Putin to end the war.

“This, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR,” Trump wrote.

Trump has at times softened his tone toward China, as he continues to push for a summit with President Xi Jinping and a trade deal with the world’s second-largest economy.