Trump Threatens Major Sanctions on Russia Over Oil Imports to NATO Countries

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if NATO countries meet certain conditions, including halting the purchase of Russian oil. According to a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated he was "ready to do major sanctions on Russia" once NATO nations had agreed and started to stop buying Russian oil. The move would be contingent upon NATO countries meeting specific requirements, which include ceasing energy purchases from Moscow. Trump's comments come as the US has been seeking to strengthen its alliance with NATO in response to growing tensions with Russia. In his post, Trump described the purchase of Russian oil by some NATO nations as "shocking" and warned that it would weaken their negotiating position over Russia. "It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia," Trump wrote. He also suggested that NATO place 50 to 100 tariffs on China, claiming this would further weaken Russia's control over the country. In what he called a letter to NATO nations, Trump stated: "I am ready to 'go' when you are. Just say when?" The statement has sparked concern among some experts who fear it may be seen as an ultimatum. Background on the issue shows that Trump has repeatedly threatened tougher measures against Moscow, but so far failed to take action when the Kremlin ignored his deadlines and threats of sanctions. International observers have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such a move. "Sanctions are not a panacea for all problems," said Dr. Maria Katskova, a Russia expert at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. "They can be counterproductive if not carefully designed." The current status of NATO's energy purchases from Russia is unclear. However, according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), several NATO member countries continue to import significant amounts of Russian oil. It remains to be seen whether Trump's latest threat will lead to any concrete action by NATO nations. The US President has a history of making bold statements that often do not translate into policy changes. *Reporting by Bbc.*