President Donald Trump has made it clear that his administration will impose significant sanctions on Russia, but only if NATO allies take stronger action against Russian energy exports. During a press conference on Sunday, Trump criticized the European Union and its member states for not doing enough to isolate Russia economically, despite the latest sanctions imposed by the EU. The president emphasized that Europe’s continued importation of Russian oil and gas is an obstacle to U.S. efforts and urged allies to cut off all financial ties with Moscow.
Trump reiterated that the sanctions Europe has implemented are not tough enough, and that the United States is willing to sanction Russia only if European nations match its efforts. The European Union has already taken significant steps to reduce its reliance on Russian energy following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, yet several key members have not severed all imports. Countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, France, Belgium, and Spain continue to purchase Russian energy, with Hungary being the largest importer of Russian crude oil and pipeline gas within the bloc.
France, while significantly reducing its reliance on Russian energy, has not abandoned its ties entirely. The country still imports liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, which has largely bypassed EU sanctions due to legally binding contracts signed in the past. These contracts, which expire in the early 2030s, require France to either fulfill them or face arbitration or penalties. However, reports suggest that the LNG imported from Russia may be redirected to third parties, including Germany, further complicating efforts to cut off all Russian energy imports.
NATO’s role in this dispute has been under increased scrutiny, with Trump accusing the alliance of not meeting its responsibilities. His comments came just one day after he sent a letter to NATO, stating his willingness to implement major sanctions on Russia only if all members of the alliance have agreed to do the same and ceased all oil imports from Moscow. The White House has not yet responded to this demand, and Trump hinted that Europe might need to cut off all LNG imports as well as part of his broader strategy to isolate Russia economically.
Meanwhile, Trump also called for higher tariffs on China, ranging from 50% to 100%, which would only be lifted once the war in Ukraine concludes. This proposal comes as his latest threats against China, including potential tariffs as high as 200%, continue to spark concern among business leaders and global markets.