Washington, DC [US], September 13 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has urged NATO allies to impose major sanctions on Russia and stop purchasing Russian oil to help end the war in Ukraine. He also proposed tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China to weaken its economic influence over Moscow.
In a letter to NATO nations, Trump wrote, “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.”
Trump criticized what he called NATO’s lack of full commitment, saying, “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.”
He emphasized his readiness to act, adding, “Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when?”
Further, Trump proposed that NATO impose tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China. “I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50 percent to 100 percent TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR,” Trump said. “China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful tariffs will break that grip.”
Trump blamed the previous administration for the ongoing conflict. “This is not TRUMP’S WAR (it would never have started if I were President!), it is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s war. I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives (7,118 lives lost last week, alone. CRAZY!),” he said.
He argued that if NATO follows his proposal, the war will end quickly. “If NATO does as I say, the war will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States,” Trump added.
The proposal follows Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods over continued Russian oil imports, though no similar action has yet been taken against China.
On Friday, Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing the challenges in resolving the Ukraine crisis and the need for cooperation from both sides. When asked in a Fox News interview whether he was running out of patience with Putin, Trump said, “It’s sort of running out and running out fast, but it does take two to tango… When Putin wants to do it, Zelenskyy didn’t. When Zelenskyy wanted to do it, Putin didn’t… We’re going to have to come down very, very strong.”
Trump also confirmed that he is ready to impose additional sanctions on Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. When asked if he was prepared to move to a second phase of sanctions against Russia and to punish Putin, he replied, “Yes, I am.”
He also accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of “conspiring against” the United States, citing China’s largest-ever military parade on September 3, which was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hours later, Trump said his personal ties with China’s leadership remained “very good.” (ANI)
About The Author
