Trump Threatens Escalation of Russia Sanctions Unless EU and NATO Align
US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning, stating that Washington will only escalate its sanctions against Moscow if European partners, specifically the EU and NATO, align with US measures by halting their purchases of Russian oil. During a press briefing on Sunday, Trump stated he is ‘ready to move ahead,’ but reiterated that European countries must ‘get together’ and ‘toughen up’ their sanctions before the US would consider taking more aggressive action against Russia. Trump criticized the EU’s current sanctions as inadequate, emphasizing that only when European partners demonstrate stronger resolve will the US be willing to escalate its efforts. His remarks underscore a growing tension between the US and Europe over the extent of measures against Russia, with Trump pushing for more stringent actions, particularly targeting the flow of Russian oil, which he believes undermines the effectiveness of existing sanctions.
This follows recent intensifying calls for all NATO states to cease purchasing Russian crude, with Trump also urging EU nations to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India, according to the Financial Times. Last month, Trump had already imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, a move that New Delhi has resisted, as it continues to import Russian oil, citing national energy security concerns. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing its 19th sanctions package, which could target Russian oil exports and the banking sector, though several member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, still oppose immediate restrictions due to their reliance on the Druzhba pipeline.
Russia, in turn, has asserted its desire for a long-term and sustainable peace in the Ukraine conflict, while accusing Kiev and its backers of obstructing efforts to achieve peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently warned Western nations against attempting to ‘punish’ China and India, criticizing them for adopting a ‘colonial’ tone toward emerging economies, a sentiment echoed by Moscow as it continues to position itself as a global partner to these countries.