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Trump’s latest statement comes after US called Russia’s Polish airspace violations ‘alarming’
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US president Donald Trump has said he is ready to impose ‘major sanctions’ on Russia over the war in Ukraine – on one condition.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning, Trump said he would proceed if all Nato countries stop buying Russian oil.
“As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking!” he wrote. “It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to “go” when you are. Just say when? “
His new statement comes after Nato announced plans to beef up the defence of Europe’s eastern flank as the US has vowed to defend “every inch” of its ally after Russian drones breached Polish airspace earlier this week.
The US joined other Nato countries to express concern about Russian drones entering Poland, accusing Moscow of violating international law and the founding UN Charter.
At the UN, the US called the Polish airspace violations “alarming” and vowed to defend “every inch” of Nato territory.
The swarm of nearly 20 drones across Polish borders this week triggered deep anxiety among NATO members who, for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, fired on a Russian target, violating the alliance’s airspace.
Just as worrisome, said European diplomats, has been U.S. President Donald Trump’s refusal so far to publicly hold Moscow accountable for Wednesday’s incident, coupled with the lack of U.S. participation in fending it off.
Many alliance members already question Trump’s commitment to their defense in the event of an actual Russian attack.
Trump’s muted response was widely seen as another example of his’America First’ push for European allies to take more responsibility for their own security and shoulder the cost of helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
But some analysts said Trump also could be wary of antagonizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, who they say may be testing both NATO’s military capabilities and U.S. resolve more than three and a half years after Moscow invaded Ukraine.
“This episode underscores that Trump, in contrast to every president since Roosevelt, does not see Europe’s security is fundamental to American security,” said Ivo Daalder, the U.S. ambassador to NATO from 2009 to 2013, who is now a senior fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center.
The White House did not reply directly to questions about Trump’s response.
Russians MiG-31 fighter jets equipped with hypersonic ballistic missiles completed a four-hour flight over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea as part of ongoing ‘Zapad 2025’ military exercises, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday.
Russia and Belarus began the joint drills on Friday during a tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The Kinzhal, which means “dagger” in Russian, is an air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
Russia has previously used the weapons against Ukraine.
G7 finance ministers discussed imposing sanctions and tariffs on countries that they consider to be “enabling” Russia’s war in Ukraine on Friday.
The G7 finance ministers held the meeting to discuss further measures to increase pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, according to a statement released by the Canadian finance ministry.
They “discussed a wide range of possible economic measures to increase pressure on Russia, including further sanctions and trade measures, such as tariffs, on those enabling Russia’s war effort.”
On Friday, Donald Trump has said that his patience with Vladimir Putin is “running out fast”, days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace in an act of provocation.
Speaking to Fox News, the US president said: “It’s sort of running out and running out fast.“
Trump has given Putin several deadlines to take steps to end the three-year conflict, but so far has not imposed sanctions or other penalties on Moscow.
Donald Trump has posted a lengthy statement about his position on the Ukraine war, on his Truth Social account.
In it he says he is ready to impose major sanctions on Russia – provided Nato countries stop buying Moscow’s oi.
The post read: “A LETTER SENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO ALL NATO NATIONS AND, THE WORLD: “I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.
“As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to “go” when you are. Just say when?
“I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip. This is not TRUMP’S WAR (it would never have started if I was President!), it is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s WAR. I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives (7,118 lives lost last week, alone. CRAZY!).
“If NATO does as I say, the WAR will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Ukraine’s prime minister has said it is the country’s “dream” to host the Invictus Games, after meeting Prince Harry.
In a Telegram post, Yulia Svyrydenkon said she and the Duke of Sussex spoke about work on the rehabilitation and recovery of veterans.
“I thanked the prince for his support of our Ukrainian military after service at various venues, including the Invictus Games,” she wrote.
“This year, Ukraine was represented at the Games by a record-breaking team of 35 participants.
“Now our dream is for the Invictus Games to come to Ukraine. We have every opportunity to do this.
“Moreover, invincibility is a synonym for the Ukrainian spirit. And our defenders demonstrate it every day.”
The events in Poland this week have reminded us that Europe is not immune to war. For Britain, the question is whether its people are ready – and if not, how quickly they could be trained.
Guy Walters looks at the MoD scheme that fast-tracks Ukrainian civilians into soldiers, and asks if it could work for the UK, too:
As wars are increasingly fought with the use of unmanned drones piloted from miles away, Taz Ali looks at what other weapons will shape the conflicts to come:
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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