US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized European nations for continuing to purchase oil from Russia, calling their current sanctions “not tough
enough” and urging them to increase pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. “Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don’t want them to buy oil—and the sanctions they’re putting on are not tough enough,” Trump said on Sunday, adding, “I’m willing to do sanctions, but they’re going to have to toughen up their sanctions commensurate with what I’m doing.” Trump has previously targeted India and China for similar actions, even slapping a 50% tariff on Indian imports in response to what he called New Delhi’s “massive oil purchase” from Russia. He has also urged NATO allies to impose sanctions on China ranging between 50% to 100%, accusing Beijing of indirectly funding the Russian war effort in Ukraine. In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected the notion that sanctions would help, emphasizing diplomacy instead. Speaking alongside Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, Wang reiterated China’s position that it “does not participate in or plan wars,” and supports peaceful resolution through dialogue. Interestingly, in his latest remarks, Trump avoided directly criticizing India, amid growing signs that Washington and New Delhi are negotiating a separate bilateral agreement. Trump has continued to position himself as a potential mediator in the Ukraine war, maintaining that stronger sanctions—particularly targeting Russian energy revenues—are key to weakening Moscow’s influence and bringing both sides to the negotiating table.
