Trump Issues Ultimatum To NATO On Russia Sanctions

US President Donald Trump has cautioned NATO allies that the United States will implement “major” sanctions against Russia only if every member nation consents to undertake identical measures and halts the purchase of Russian oil.

In a letter posted on social media on Saturday, Trump clarified that Washington’s subsequent actions rely on complete NATO collaboration.

“I am 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,” he wrote. “NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when?”

Trump further urged NATO nations to apply hefty tariffs on China as a component of a wider strategy to exert pressure.

“I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR,” he said.

The president asserted that these actions would swiftly conclude Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.

The EU has already prohibited maritime imports of Russian oil and refined products like diesel, yet certain member states and non-EU NATO allies—including Turkey, a significant purchaser of Russian oil—continue to depend on Moscow’s energy resources.

Meanwhile, Trump has increased pressure on India, raising tariffs on imports to 50 percent in response to New Delhi’s procurement of Russian oil. He acknowledged that the decision “caused a rift” with India, which has deemed the action “unjustified.”

However, European officials have been hesitant to adopt Trump’s approach. They remain wary of using tariffs as a weapon, particularly against China, with whom the EU is engaged in discussions for a significant trade agreement.

As Trump’s demands spread among allies, Russia has shown no indications of reducing its military efforts. On Saturday, Romania’s defense ministry reported intercepting a drone that entered its airspace during Russian attacks on Ukraine. Two F-16s followed the device until it vanished from radar near Chilia Veche, near the Danube River.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the drone operated in NATO airspace “for around 50 minutes,” describing it as “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia.”

This incident came after another Russian drone intrusion into Polish airspace earlier this week, prompting NATO to strengthen its eastern defenses. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the developments “unacceptable and dangerous,” while Polish forces initiated aviation operations as a precautionary measure.

The rising tensions highlight the significance of Trump’s ultimatum, which could exacerbate divisions within NATO at a pivotal moment in the conflict.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli