U.S. President Donald Trump has called on all NATO member nations to cease their purchases of Russian oil, stating that such a unified action would accelerate the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump expressed his view that the alliance's commitment to ending the war has been notably deficient, describing the continued oil imports by some members as "shocking" and detrimental to NATO's collective leverage against Russia. This appeal comes amid heightened tensions, particularly following recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, which prompted Poland to activate its air defense systems and placed NATO allies on high alert. The drone incident marked the first instance of NATO defending its own airspace against Russian assets since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to the initiation of Operation Eastern Sentry to bolster air defenses along NATO's eastern flank.
Among NATO nations, Turkey has been identified as the third-largest purchaser of Russian oil since 2023, following China and India. Hungary and Slovakia are also noted for their continued imports of Russian oil, with both nations historically reliant on these supplies. While the European Union has imposed sanctions on most Russian oil imports, exceptions were made for Hungary and Slovakia due to their reliance on pipeline supplies, though they have faced pressure to diversify. Croatia has offered Hungary and Slovakia alternative oil import routes via the Adriatic pipeline, aiming to enhance regional energy security.
President Trump also proposed implementing significant tariffs, ranging from 50% to 100%, on China for its ongoing purchases of Russian petroleum, believing that such measures could diminish China's influence over Russia. However, the U.S. Treasury Secretary has indicated that the U.S. would not impose additional tariffs on China unless European countries also implement similar duties on China and India. China has stated its opposition to such tariffs, viewing them as economic coercion and a disruption to global trade.
While most EU countries have substantially reduced their Russian energy imports, Hungary and Slovakia remain outliers. Senator Lindsey Graham has voiced expectations for these nations to cease Russian oil purchases, warning of potential consequences if they do not comply. The European Commission is also considering accelerating the phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports, a move that aligns with President Trump's calls for stronger action against Russia's war economy. The effectiveness of sanctions and the broader geopolitical implications of these energy policies continue to be a central focus for international dialogue and strategic planning.