Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Trump makes it clear, the the ball is on the other NAO-countries court.
Trump makes it clear, that the ball is on the other NATO-countries half of the field.
What is happening?
Donald Trump has announced he’s prepared to slap “major sanctions” on Russia — but only if all NATO nations follow his lead.
Open letter
Posting on his Truth Social platform, the former president outlined strict conditions for coordinated action against Moscow, insisting the alliance must first stop buying Russian oil.
“A letter to NATO and the World”
In a post titled “A LETTER SENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO ALL NATO NATIONS AND, THE WORLD,” Trump laid out his expectations.
He declared that NATO’s lack of full commitment has been “shocking” and undermines its position against Russia.
The post had all the hallmarks of a formal declaration — written in his signature rhetorical style.
Sanctions only if NATO acts first
Trump stated clearly: “I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing.”
He emphasized that the ongoing purchase of Russian oil by some alliance members weakens their negotiating power and must end before he acts.
“Don’t waste my time”
“If NATO does as I say, the WAR will end quickly,” Trump wrote.
But if not, he warned, “you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States.”
Wants 50 % tariffs on China – as a minimum
In the same post, Trump linked the conflict to Beijing’s influence,
He suggests NATO countries should impose 50 %-100 % tariffs on China as well as stopping the import of Russian oil.
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip.”
His proposal appeared to extend beyond Moscow, hinting at a broader strategy to challenge both Russia and China economically.
Omitting Putin, blaming Biden and Zelensky
Notably absent from Trump’s post was any mention of Vladimir Putin. Instead, he pinned blame on Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump framed himself as a potential peacemaker, stating,
“I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives.”
“Just say when”
Trump positioned himself as ready to act, ending his message with a rhetorical prompt:
“Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when?”
The post reinforced his image as someone waiting on others to make the first move.
Trump’s patience wearing thin
Just a day earlier, Trump told Fox News his patience with Putin was “running out and running out fast.”
Yet, he also criticized Zelensky, suggesting both leaders were playing political games.
“It’s amazing — when Putin wants to do it, Zelensky didn’t,” he said.
U.S. Treasury voices similar concerns
On September 7, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the need for coordinated pressure.
He stressed that the key to ending the war lies in secondary sanctions and joint efforts with Europe:
“The Russian economy will be in total collapse, and that will bring President Putin to the table,” Bessent said.
Who are buying Russian oil?
NATO-country Turkey is the third.-largest buyer of Russian oil. Only India and China buys more.
Other than Turkey, European countries Hungary and Slovakia, both in the top 10 of importers of Russian oil.
Can NATO even impose sanctions?
NATO is a mutual-defense alliance. This means that technically speaking, NATO cannot impose sanctions on countries, at least not as an alliance.
That being said, the 32 member states can agree on imposing sanctions individually.
Many Euroean NATO-members are members of the EU, which has imposed a plethora of sanction on Russia.
A high-stakes standoff
Trump’s post marks a high-profile demand for unity among NATO allies and signals a readiness to ramp up pressure — but only on his terms.
With tensions escalating and lives at stake, the president’s message adds a new layer of complexity to the West’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
