President Trump is seen aboard Marine One earlier than departing from New York Metropolis on September 12, 2025, for his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey.
Mandel Ngan/AFP through Getty Photos
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Mandel Ngan/AFP through Getty Photos
President Trump instructed fellow NATO international locations on Saturday that he’ll solely impose new sanctions on Russia over its struggle in Ukraine in the event that they cease buying Russian oil.
“I’m able to do main Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and began, to do the identical factor, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” he wrote in a prolonged social media submit in what he described because the textual content of a letter to all NATO international locations and the remainder of the world.
Trump has been below strain from some in his personal celebration to extend sanctions on Russia after his efforts at diplomacy stalled. In the meantime, Russia has stepped up aggression – together with this week when a number of Russian drones entered the airspace of NATO member Poland.
NATO fighter jets shot down the drones. Trump’s response has been comparatively muted. He prompt that the incursion may have been an accident, however he has stated his persistence with Russia is operating skinny.
Trump final month doubled tariffs on Indian items to 50 % as a result of India’s continued purchases of Russian vitality.
Trump spoke to European leaders about Russian oil final week
Trump privately instructed European leaders on name final week that they wanted to chop off Russian oil to place extra strain on Russian President Vladimir Putin to finish the struggle, in response to a White Home official who spoke on situation of anonymity to explain the personal dialog. Trump’s submit on Saturday amplified these sentiments.
“As you recognize, NATO’S dedication to WIN has been far lower than 100%, and the acquisition of Russian Oil, by some, has been surprising! It enormously weakens your negotiating place, and bargaining energy, over Russia.”
“Anyway, I’m able to ‘go’ when you’re,” he added. “Simply say when?”
The US and its allies have been cautious about restrictions on Russian vitality commerce due to fears of the influence on the worldwide financial system.
The European Union had been closely depending on Russian vitality earlier than Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. It has taken steps to scale back these purchases, however they haven’t disappeared fully, in response to the Centre for Analysis on Vitality and Clear Air, a Finnish nonprofit that tracks the purchases. Many EU international locations are additionally NATO members.
The EU is the largest purchaser of Russian liquefied pure fuel (LNG) and pipeline pure fuel. And NATO member Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian vitality.
Trump additionally needs NATO members to tariff China
Trump additionally stated in his submit that he needs NATO international locations to impose tariffs of fifty% to 100% on Chinese language items. China has emerged as the highest purchaser of Russian oil since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“China has a powerful management, and even grip, over Russia, and these highly effective Tariffs will break that grip,” Trump stated.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Commerce Consultant Jamieson Greer spoke with G7 finance ministers on Friday and pressed them to impose tariffs on international locations shopping for Russian oil. In a press release, they stated solely a “unified effort” to chop off Russian revenues would finish the struggle.
A few of Trump’s fellow Republicans have been pushing him to step up financial motion towards Russia.
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham launched a sanctions package deal in July, together with Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal. After the Russian drones had been shot down over Poland this week, Graham posted on social media encouraging Trump to help that package deal.
“Mr. President, Congress is with you. We stand able to cross laws authorizing bone crushing new sanctions and tariffs that may be deployed at your discretion,” he wrote. “Our aim is to empower you as you cope with this mounting risk.”
NPR White Home correspondent Franco Ordoñez contributed to this report.
