President Donald Trump signaled Saturday he is ready to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia — but only if NATO allies move in unison.
“I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia once all NATO countries have started to do the same thing and pause their purchases of oil from Moscow,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, saying the message was also sent in a letter to NATO nations “and the world.”
Trump also urged member states to impose “50% to 100% tariffs on China,” which he said could be rolled back after the Russia-Ukraine war concludes. “China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip,” he added.
Support and criticism
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the call for coordinated sanctions, saying only a “unified effort that cuts off the revenues funding Putin’s war machine” would apply sufficient pressure to end the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, pressed allies not to delay action. “I urge all partners to stop looking for excuses not to impose sanctions,” he said, adding that reducing Russian oil consumption is essential to weakening Moscow’s ability to wage war.
Political context
Trump has previously threatened sanctions but held back, with analysts suggesting he may be keeping space to pursue a possible peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Earlier this month, he floated the idea of moving toward a “second phase” of sanctions, but concrete measures have not yet materialized.
