President Donald Trump[1] says he’s ready to punish Vladimir Putin.
But key allies must do their part before he sanctions Russia, he said Saturday morning.
“I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA. As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to “go” when you are. Just say when?”
In June 2025, the last month for which the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air[2] has records, there is an argument that some progress has been made, with Russian import revenue at its lowest level quarterly since Russia invaded Ukraine.
However, that’s more a function of oil prices in general, as imports are actually up from Q1 to Q2, and with a bump in oil prices, June was actually a more profitable month than May.
Interestingly, Trump’s statement elides natural gas, which is the predominant EU import. While the EU (which comprises most of NATO) buys 6% of Russian oil exports, the bloc buys 51% of LNG, or liquified natural gas. The EU is also a primary buyer of pipeline gas.
Meanwhile, Turkey (also a NATO member) buys 26% of Russian oil imports, and also buys a lot of pipeline gas.
Trump also advocates “placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended” to provide “great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.”
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip,” Trump argues.
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References
- ^ Donald Trump (x.com)
- ^ Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (energyandcleanair.org)