Washington: Former US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that the Russia-Ukraine war could end if NATO countries stopped buying Russian oil. He also threatened to impose 50–100 per cent tariffs on China for its continued purchase of petroleum from Russia.
Trump criticises NATO and China
Taking to his platform Truth Social, Trump described the purchase of Russian oil by NATO members as “shocking”. He wrote that it “greatly weakens your negotiating position and bargaining power over Russia”, accusing NATO of being only partially committed to winning the war.
China, the largest buyer of Russian energy, is followed by India, with Turkey—a NATO member—coming in third. Hungary and Slovakia are among other NATO members that continue to purchase Russian oil.
Trump argued that a NATO ban on Russian oil, combined with tariffs on China, would “be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.” He added that China has a strong influence over Russia, which he claimed the tariffs would help break.
Escalating tensions in Eastern Europe
The comments come amid rising tensions, with drones entering Poland’s airspace—a NATO ally—launched from Russia. Poland successfully shot down the drones. Meanwhile, the US Congress has been pushing for a bill to strengthen sanctions on Russia and its allies.
Trump blamed the continuation of the war on US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying, “This is not TRUMP’S WAR (it would never have started if I was President!), it is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s WAR.” Notably, he did not mention Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He urged NATO to “do as I say”, claiming that such action would end the war quickly and save lives. “If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States,” he wrote.
Previous trade actions
Last month, Trump’s administration had already levied 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India, with an additional 25 per cent for purchases of oil and weapons from Moscow. His latest threats extend this approach to China, signalling a tough stance on countries continuing trade with Russia amid the ongoing conflict.