Donald Trump claims he has a master plan which could 'quickly' end Russia's invasion of Ukraine - that all hinges on 'NATO doing as he says'.
The US President shared a defiant message with the 32 member states who make up the military alliance 'and the world' in a Truth Social post on Saturday (13 September).
He explained he is ready to implement 'major sanctions' on Russia if NATO nations agree to play by his rules, while warning these countries that they are 'wasting his time' if they do not.
Trump said that NATO's commitment to winning the war 'has been far less than 100%', while calling out countries for continuing to buy oil from Russia despite the war in Ukraine, which has been raging since February 2022.
Advert
Turkey has been the third largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Other members of the military alliance - such as Hungary and Slovakia - have also continued to purchase the stuff.
On Friday (12 September), Britain took steps to penalise the trading of Russian oil, including a ban on 70 vessels allegedly used in its transportation.
The UK also sanctioned 30 individuals and companies, included businesses based in China and Turkey, that have supplied Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.
Advert
In the post on his social media platform which was addressed to 'all NATO nations and the world', Trump said: "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?"
The commander-in-chief then urged NATO to impose hefty tariffs on China so that they have some leverage over President Xi Jinping, who could then put pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war.
Trump continued: "I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.
Advert
"China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip."
He again distanced himself from the conflict by saying 'this is not Trump's war' and going on to claim that it 'would never have started if I was President'.
"It is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s WAR," Trump continued. "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."
Advert
Trump's words come days after multiple Russian drones were shot down by Poland in NATO airspace, which the nation's Prime Minister Donald Tusk described as 'the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two'.
The US President previously played down the situation, suggesting the incident 'could have been a mistake'.
It seems Trump has now changed his tune again, as the US seems to be encouraging countries to take firmer action against Russia.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper previously said of the incident in Poland: "The UK will not stand idly by as Putin continues his barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
"His complete disregard for sovereignty has been shown this week when he recklessly sent drones into NATO airspace.
Advert
“International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows, which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war, is vital."
Topics: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine, Russia, US News, World News, Politics
Olivia Burke