US Urges NATO, G7, and EU to Halt Russian Oil Purchases and Impose Tariffs on China and India

US President Donald Trump has called on NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries to halt purchases of Russian oil and is ready to impose new sanctions on Moscow if they comply. He also urged G7 and EU countries to impose tariffs on China and India over Russian oil purchases, according to various international reports.

Background

US Secretary Bessent and Ambassador Greer welcomed commitments to increase sanctions pressure and explore using immobilized Russian sovereign assets to further benefit Ukraine’s defense. Trump's proposal is part of a series of new conditions he has announced for punitive action against Russia for its war against Ukraine, as reported by the New York Times.

Key Developments

Trump's call to halt oil purchases from Russia comes in the wake of escalating conflict in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia, Trump stated, as noted by Sky News World. He also expressed shock about some NATO members' continued purchase of Russian oil.

Trump has been particularly critical of Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, accusing them of reselling refined products to the EU, as well as India, as reported by La Repubblica. His call to halt Russian oil imports may be an attempt to delay sanctions, according to TASS. However, some NATO members are unlikely to comply with this proposal, as reported by the Washington Post.

In a letter sent to NATO nations, Trump urged them to stop purchasing Russian oil and impose major sanctions on Russia to help end the war in Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. He also called for a legal pathway to seize immobilized sovereign Russian assets and use these funds for Ukraine’s defense, as reported by the Japan Times.

Reactions and Implications

China has warned against unilateral actions targeting its interests, as reported by the South China Morning Post. This comes as the US intensifies pressure on Western allies to impose steep tariffs on China and India for allegedly enabling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by continuing to buy Russian oil.

The US president's demands mark an increase in pressure on NATO countries to tighten energy sanctions on Russia in a bid to help end its war with Ukraine. The consequences of these measures, if implemented, could have significant impacts on the global oil market and geopolitical relations.

Current Status

While Trump has repeatedly threatened tougher measures against Moscow, he has so far failed to take action, according to the BBC News. The negotiations for the resolution of the conflict are not progressing, and the Kremlin is strengthening its offensive, Clarin reports. As the situation develops, the world waits to see how NATO, G7, and EU countries will respond to Trump's demands.