Former US President Donald Trump has proposed a strategy to potentially resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict by targeting oil trade. He suggested that if all NATO nations stop buying oil from Russia and impose hefty tariffs on China for purchasing Russian petroleum, it could disrupt the alliance between the two countries and lead to a cessation of hostilities.
Trump criticized NATO members who continue to purchase Russian oil, calling it “shocking.” In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, he expressed disappointment in the alliance’s efforts to end the war, describing them as insufficient.
Notably, Turkey, a NATO member, ranks as the third-largest buyer of Russian oil, following China and India. Trump’s comments come in the wake of escalating tensions, highlighted by Russian drones breaching Polish airspace, a move that raised concerns within NATO. While Trump pledged to end the conflict swiftly during his campaign, his actions have not yet produced the desired outcomes, leading to calls for stricter sanctions on Russia.
In response to the situation, the UK has taken steps to penalize the trading of Russian oil, including banning vessels involved in its transportation. Furthermore, the UK has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies, including those from China and Turkey, for supplying Russia with various goods. Trump emphasized the importance of a NATO ban on Russian oil and tariffs on China to bring an end to the conflict.
Trump proposed imposing 50% to 100% tariffs on China, contingent on the war’s resolution, citing China’s influence over Russia. He has already introduced a 25% import tax on Indian goods related to Russian energy purchases. Trump also mentioned ongoing negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address trade disputes.
While placing responsibility for the conflict on his predecessor Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump did not hold Russian President Vladimir Putin directly accountable for the invasion. The US and its allies are striving to demonstrate a unified stance against Russia in the ongoing crisis.