President Donald Trump just dropped a policy bombshell that could shake the alliance to its core. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Trump issued a stern ultimatum, demanding that NATO countries slap hefty sanctions on Russia and halt all oil purchases from Moscow before the U.S. joins the fray. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a line in the sand.
CNN reported that Trump’s latest move, coupled with calls for massive tariffs on China, signals a potential seismic shift in NATO’s approach to both Russia and global trade.
Let’s rewind to earlier this week, when Trump was already stirring the pot. Before his Saturday letter, he urged a European delegation from the EU to impose tariffs of 50% to 100% on both China and India, though his latest NATO missive curiously left India out. It’s worth noting the EU is cozying up to India with a trade deal, so don’t hold your breath for those tariffs.
On Saturday, Trump doubled down with a letter to NATO allies, making his position crystal clear. “I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed and started to do the same thing,” he declared on social media. Well, nothing says teamwork like a public challenge, right?
Trump didn’t stop there—he’s also pushing for NATO to impose tariffs of 50% to 100% on China, to be lifted only after the Russia-Ukraine war ends. He’s betting this one-two punch will force a quick resolution, claiming the conflict would end “quickly” with these measures. Call it optimistic, but it’s a gamble with high stakes.
Meanwhile, the EU has already slashed Russian oil imports, dropping from $16.4 billion in early 2021 to just $1.72 billion in the first quarter of 2025, per Eurostat data. But some nations, like Hungary and Slovakia, still keep the pipeline open, and Turkey—now roped into Trump’s NATO demands—remains a top buyer of Russian crude.
While Trump’s demands hang in the air, the Russia-Ukraine conflict isn’t taking a breather. On the very same day as his ultimatum, Romania’s defense ministry intercepted a Russian drone near its border with Ukraine, tracking it until it vanished 20 kilometers southwest of Chilia Veche. Thankfully, no populated areas were at risk, but the message is loud: danger lurks close.
This isn’t an isolated incident, either. Earlier in the week, Russian drones breached Polish airspace, prompting NATO to ramp up security on its eastern flank. Poland’s armed forces even launched preventive aviation operations on September 13, briefly halting operations at Lublin Airport.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky isn’t buying any “accident” excuses for these incursions. “The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed,” he posted on X, calling it a deliberate expansion of the war. When even the airspace isn’t safe, you have to wonder if Trump’s tariff-and-sanction strategy can really turn this tide.
Back to Trump’s playbook—he’s not just targeting Russia with this ultimatum. By addressing NATO directly, he’s pulling in Turkey, a major purchaser of Russian oil alongside China and India, into the sanctions showdown. It’s a broader net than his earlier EU talks, but will it catch anything?
Trump’s frustration with NATO’s uneven commitment shines through in his words: “NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking!” He’s got a point—buying oil from the very nation you’re opposing does weaken your leverage. But forcing unity on this scale is like herding cats with a megaphone.
Then there’s the China tariff angle, which Trump ties directly to ending the war. “I believe that this, plus NATO… placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA… will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR,” he stated. It’s a bold claim, but European officials signaled last week they’re wary of sparking trade wars, especially with Beijing.
Trump’s recent moves come after a stalled attempt to broker peace following his August 15, 2025, meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. With Russia showing no signs of backing down as of September 13, these new demands risk prolonging the conflict rather than resolving it. Sometimes, pushing too hard can backfire.
Even allies like India, hit with a doubled 50% tariff by Trump, are pushing back, calling the move “unjustified” since others also trade with Moscow. Trump himself admitted on September 12 that the rift with India isn’t ideal, but he’s not backing down. Tariff tussle might just be the start.
So, where does this leave us? NATO faces a crossroads—unite under Trump’s aggressive economic strategy or risk fracturing over differing national interests. With drones buzzing borders and Russia unmoved, the clock is ticking for the alliance to decide if it’s all in or all out.
