President Trump has once again called on NATO nations to halt their purchases of Russian oil, as he aims to persuade both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to end the conflict in Ukraine.
“If NATO allies stop buying oil from Moscow by Saturday morning, he is prepared to enforce significant sanctions on Russia,” he stated.
“NATO’s commitment to victory seems to waver, and the ongoing purchases of Russian oil are quite alarming. Such actions could actually undermine our negotiating strength against Russia,” he commented in a post.
“I’m ready to act when everyone else is. Are you really committed? I think so, and as part of this, I would propose imposing substantial tariffs on China, which could really help end the absurd war between Russia and Ukraine,” he added.
During an interview on “Fox and Friends,” Trump expressed a sense of urgency regarding the Russian leader, suggesting there was little time left to wait.
Meanwhile, Canada hosted a G7 Finance Ministers meeting, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed Trump’s plea for tariffs against countries still buying Russian oil, emphasizing a serious commitment to resolving the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer highlighted the need for unified action to disrupt the revenue streams supporting Putin’s military efforts, expressing hope for further economic pressure to end the violence.
“We need collective measures to cut off the funding for Putin’s war,” they remarked.
They also credited Trump’s decisive leadership for proactive measures against Russian oil buyers, urging other G7 nations to remain steadfast in their commitment to ending the war.
Trump’s appeal to halt oil negotiations and sanctions comes as President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky missed a potential meeting deadline.
Despite this, Russia continues its military operations, launching airstrikes in Ukraine.
The Kremlin announced that discussions with Ukraine have been “paused,” nearly a month after Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska.
On Saturday morning, Trump addressed China’s close ties with Russia, suggesting that imposing tariffs would help loosen that hold.
“This isn’t my war; it wouldn’t have begun if I were president. This is [former President] Biden and Zelensky’s conflict. I’m just here trying to help prevent further loss of lives—7,118 lives lost last week alone. It’s outrageous!” he stated, adding that if no action is taken, it’s simply wasting valuable time and resources.
GOP Senator Shelly Moore Capito is advocating for Trump to support a Russian sanctions bill following a recent escalation from Russia into Polish airspace.
“I believe it’s time for that bill to come to a vote,” she remarked, noting that while she respects the President’s decision, she is prepared to support it.
