Washington: US President Donald Trump urged NATO and European nations to take stronger measures against Russia, criticising Europe for continuing to purchase oil from Moscow.
Addressing reporters, Trump said, “They’re not doing the job. NATO has to get together. Europe is my friend, but Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don’t want them to buy oil. The sanctions they’re imposing aren’t strong enough. I’m willing to act, but they need to match the toughness of the sanctions I’m ready to impose.”
On whether he would act independently of NATO, Trump added, “I’m ready to move ahead, but they have to act. Right now, they’re just talking. They’re buying a lot of oil from Russia. We’re not—this isn’t acceptable.”
He also criticised European imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, saying, “Whether it’s natural gas or cigarettes, they’re not supposed to be buying from Russia.”
When asked about mediating a summit between Russia and Ukraine, Trump responded, “Whether you call it a summit or a get-together doesn’t matter. They hate each other so much, they can barely talk.”
Trump recently wrote to NATO nations, stating, “I am ready to implement major sanctions on Russia once all NATO members agree and start doing the same, and once they stop buying oil from Russia.”
He also proposed that NATO impose tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China. “This, along with NATO collectively imposing 50–100% tariffs on China, to be lifted after the war between Russia and Ukraine ends, will help end this deadly and absurd conflict,” Trump wrote. “China exerts strong influence over Russia, and these tariffs will weaken that grip.”
Criticising the previous administration, he added, “This is not TRUMP’S WAR—it would never have started if I were President. It’s Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s war. I’m only here to help stop it and save thousands of lives—7,118 lost last week alone!”
