“I am ready to strongly sanction Russia once all NATO countries agree to do the same and immediately end their oil purchases from Russia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social today, calling it “a letter to NATO and the world.”
Trump said he was “shocked” that NATO members continue buying Russian oil, arguing it undermines the alliance’s leverage in negotiations.
“Either way, I’m ready to ‘act’ when you are. Just tell me when,” he added, urging NATO to set a clear timeline. Trump also suggested members impose tariffs of 50–100% on Chinese goods, describing it as a step toward ending the Ukraine conflict. “If you follow what I say, the war will end quickly. If not, you’re just wasting my time,” he wrote.
Neither Russian nor NATO officials have yet commented.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has intensified mediation efforts to end the war in Ukraine. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska on August 15, followed by talks with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on August 18.
These meetings sparked hopes for direct talks between Putin and Zelensky, though subsequent developments suggest prospects for peace remain slim.
On September 2, Trump voiced “deep disappointment” that Putin had not reached a peace deal with Ukraine. Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately blocking plans for a summit, while the Kremlin said the agenda for such a meeting was not ready.
Last week, Putin warned Russia would continue its “special operation” to force an outcome in Ukraine if no peace deal was reached. On September 12, the Kremlin announced that talks with Kyiv were “on hold,” accusing Europe of obstructing peace efforts.
In an interview with Fox News the same day, Trump admitted he was running out of patience with Putin over Ukraine, warning that the United States “may act tough.”