A sanctions standoff is brewing between the United States and its own NATO allies, with President Donald Trump refusing to impose new measures on Russia until members like Turkey and Hungary halt their purchases of Russian oil. This internal dispute within the alliance threatens to derail a unified economic front against Moscow.
President Trump initiated the standoff with a public post on Truth Social, stating his readiness to enact “major Sanctions” is conditional. The condition is a complete and total oil embargo by every single member nation, a move that the more energy-dependent allies have so far resisted.
Adding pressure to the situation, Trump has also called for a united front against China. He proposed that NATO should collectively levy tariffs of 50% to 100% on Beijing for its economic support of Russia. This raises the stakes even higher, asking allies to risk a trade war with the world’s second-largest economy.
This standoff highlights the deep divisions within NATO over how to balance economic self-interest with the strategic goal of punishing Russia. Until the alliance can resolve this internal conflict over oil, Trump has made it clear that the most powerful U.S. sanctions will remain on the sidelines.
