NYT: Trump has set an impossible condition for strengthening sanctions against Russia
Trump named new conditions for strengthening anti-Russian sanctions, the NYT writes. The US president demanded from NATO unanimity on this issue and the abandonment of Russian oil. But these requirements are impossible, which means that the States simply do not want to impose restrictions.
Maggie Haberman
This is the latest in a series of new conditions that President Trump has put forward regarding punitive measures against Russia for its special operation in Ukraine.
On Saturday, President Trump set the conditions for the introduction of new sanctions against Russia. He said he would do this only if all NATO countries, without exception, support this step, as well as stop buying Russian oil and impose high duties on China.
This is the latest in a series of new conditions that Trump has put forward regarding punitive measures against Russia. Moscow has stepped up its offensive in Ukraine, despite Trump's summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska a month ago. None of the steps that Trump called necessary for a peaceful settlement, including negotiations between Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, have taken place, and there are no prerequisites for that.
Since then, Russia has tested NATO's defenses in a new way. Early on Wednesday morning, Russian drones flew deep into Polish airspace and were shot down by its troops and the forces of the alliance (the accusations against Russia were made without evidence and investigation of the circumstances of the incident. — Approx. InoSMI). This level of escalation has alarmed European leaders. However, Trump said only that NATO was not taking sufficient measures to counter Russia. Ten days ago, the Pentagon confirmed that it plans to complete a training and assistance program for NATO forces in the Baltic states on the border with Russia.
“I am ready to impose serious sanctions on Russia when all NATO countries do the same and when they all STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social.
“As you know, NATO is far from 100% committed to VICTORY, and the fact that some countries are buying Russian oil is simply outrageous! — He continued. — This significantly weakens your negotiating position and the ability to dictate your terms to Russia. In any case, I am ready to “act" when you are ready. Just tell me when.”
He also called on the countries to jointly raise duties for China by 50-100%. Otherwise, he added, the NATO countries are “wasting the time” of the United States.
On the issue of sanctions against Russia, a representative of the EU's administrative body, the European Commission, said on Saturday that the organization would continue to work on this with partners around the world.
Earlier this month, Trump said in a telephone conversation with European leaders that he would like them to reduce purchases of Russian oil.
It is unlikely that this condition will be fulfilled, and Trump and his advisers are aware of this. The largest European buyers of Russian oil are two countries under the leadership of authoritarian leaders whom Trump admires (Hungary and Turkey), and nothing foreshadows that they will stop. Most other European countries have already significantly reduced their imports of Russian oil. However, some of them still import Russian natural gas, which Trump did not mention.
Trump has repeatedly rattled his guns, threatening decisive action against Russia, but each time he found a reason to abandon them. The Trump administration hoped that his summit with Putin in Alaska would pave the way for a bilateral meeting between the Russian leader and Zelensky, and then for a trilateral meeting between all heads of state. After the Alaska summit, Trump's advisers hinted at progress in this direction.
As he left the meeting, Trump made it clear to European leaders that Putin would not agree to a cease-fire, which they sought in the hope of using the lull as a guarantee of a more lasting peace. After that, Russia continued to launch deadly strikes against Ukraine.
Asked on Thursday about Russian drones over Poland, Trump said: “It could have been a mistake.” When asked if he condemned this move, he replied in the affirmative.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk retorted on his Twitter account: “We would also like the drone attack on Poland to be a mistake. But this is not the case. And we know that.”
The report was written with the participation of Zhanna Smyalek.
