REACTIONS ARE EXPECTED Trump issued an ultimatum to NATO and Europe

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump on Saturday issued an ultimatum to NATO allies, stating in a letter that the US will impose "major" sanctions on Russia only after they commit to the same and stop buying Russian oil. Fulfilling Trump's demands would represent a major change within the alliance, and the question remains open whether there is even a collective interest in taking such steps. CNN writes.

"I am ready to impose major sanctions on Russia when all NATO countries agree and start doing the same, and when all NATO countries STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA," he posted on social media, quoting a letter sent to his NATO counterparts.

"As you know, NATO's commitment to VICTORY has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking! This greatly weakens your negotiating position and bargaining power over Russia. In any case, I am ready to 'go' when you are. Just say when?", Trump added.

The President also called on NATO members to significantly increase tariffs on goods from China as a demonstration of strength. He believes that the Russian war in Ukraine would end "quickly" if these steps were taken.

"I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, by imposing TARIFFS OF 50% to 100% ON CHINA, which will be fully withdrawn after the END of the WAR with Russia and Ukraine, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR", he stated.

The European Union has already imposed a ban on the maritime import of Russian oil and oil products, but many countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels, including liquefied natural gas. Trump has previously announced the possibility of additional sanctions, and has already doubled tariffs on India to 50% for purchasing Russian oil, admitting that the move "caused division".

Interestingly, in Saturday's message to NATO, he did not mention India, although earlier this week he asked an EU delegation to impose tariffs on both China and India. Given that the EU is in the final stages of negotiating a trade agreement with India, it is unlikely that European officials would agree to this.

By addressing NATO instead of the EU, Trump includes Turkey in his demands, the third-largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India, which further emphasizes the weight of his conditions.

Meanwhile, Russia shows no intention of de-escalating tensions. The Romanian Ministry of Defense announced that on Saturday it intercepted a drone that entered the country's airspace during Russian attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the drone operated in NATO airspace "for about 50 minutes".

"The Russian army knows exactly where their drones are going and how long they can operate in the air. Their routes are always calculated. This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or an initiative of some lower commanders. This is clearly an expansion of the war by Russia", Zelensky wrote on social network X.

This incident followed the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace earlier this week, after which NATO announced an increase in security on its eastern flank. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the incursion into Poland on Saturday an "unacceptable, unfortunate, and dangerous development."