Donald Trump wrote a letter to all NATO states on Saturday on the fact Social portal, declaring his willingness to impose strong sanctions on Russia. However, the condition is that all the Alliance countries halt buying Russian oil.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski welcomed the words of the American President. "I am personally glad that president Trump is saying what most of the European Union is saying, that Hungary and Slovakia can buy oil from another than Russian, direction and should have done so a long time ago" - said TOK FM radio on Monday.
Trump wants customs on China
The head of Polish diplomacy added that he understood Hungary's desire to buy cheaper oil, but emphasized: "against Putin and his aggression has its costs". "All Europe pays a small more for gas and oil. I hope that Hungary and Slovakia will yet implement this appeal by president Trump" - added Sikorski.
Trump besides proposed that NATO countries impose tariffs on China ranging from 50 to 100 percent as another origin to aid end the war in Ukraine. According to the U.S. President, China "have strong control and even influence over Russia, and these powerful duties will break this dependence".
European sanctions insufficient
On Sunday, Trump stated in an interview with journalists that European sanctions against Russia are not severe adequate and must be tightened up before the US imposes its own dense restrictions. As he added, Europeans are his friends, "but they buy oil from Russia".
According to a survey by the Finnish think tank Centre for investigation and Clean Air, in July 2025 the 5 largest importers of Russian natural materials in the EU paid Kremlin EUR 1.1 billion. These were Hungary, France, Slovakia, Belgium and Spain.
Gas without sanctions, oil by Friendship
67% of fossil fuels imported from Russia into the EU are natural gas, which is presently not subject to sanctions. The remainder are mostly oil imported by Slovakia and Hungary, utilizing the confederate section of the pipeline relationship not subject to EU sanctions.
The European Commission proposed in June a regulation gradually introducing a complete ban on imports of natural gas from Russia. According to this proposal, by 2028 the EU is expected to become completely independent of Russian gas. The task is presently being negotiated in the European Parliament and between associate States.
The Commission's proposal will not require the unanimity of the associate States, but only the qualified majority - at least 15 countries representing 65% of the Union's population. This will prevent Hungary and Slovakia from blocking this plan.
Sources used: "PAP" Note: This article was edited with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.
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