Able to impose sanctions on Russia when NATO does the identical

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media before he climbs to New York, Washington, DC, USA, Marine on September 11, 2025.

Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was “ready to fulfill large sanctions against Russia” as soon as all NATO countries have started to “do the same” and to pause their oil purchases from Moscow.

He also asked the NATO countries to “impose 50% to 100% tariffs for China”, which was to be withdrawn after the end of the Russia Ukraine War.

“China has a strong control and even grip over Russia, and these powerful tariffs will break this handle,” Trump wrote in a social post of truth that was the text of a letter that was sent to all NATO nations and “the world”.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose Russia sanctions on Ukraine because of his invasion, but has previously held away from it.

At the beginning of this month, the President said that he was ready to move into a second phase of the sanctioning of Russia, but had not yet imposed the taxes.

Part of Trump’s reluctance to impose the strict economic penalties may be due to the fact that he hopes that he can convey a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, analysts previously announced with CNBC.

Read more CNBC policy reporting

“The second reason … is the feeling that if it is defeated, Russia has no other choice than going on with China, and that China’s position might be strengthening,” said Chris Weafer, the managing director of Moscow based macrooaddioy, at the beginning of this month towards CNBC.

Trump’s Saturday posts underlines that he is moving his focus on NATO nations to exert pressure on Russia to end his war.

“As you know, NATO’s commitment to win was far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil from some was shocking!” Trump wrote in the post office.

“It weakens her negotiating position and negotiating power towards Russia,” he continued.

Hungary and Slovakia continued to bought Russian fossil fuels and pulled criticism from Trump officials.

“We want to suppress all Russian gas. President Trump, America and all of the EU nations, we want to end the Russian-Ukrainian War,” said Minister of Energy Wright on Friday.