US President Donald Trump has criticised European allies for what he called an inadequate approach to sanctions on Russia, saying they “talk but don’t act” while continuing to buy Russian oil.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, he said any further tightening of US measures would depend on Europe strengthening its own restrictions and ending purchases of Russian energy.
Responding to questions about potential sanctions “by NATO”, Mr Trump said the Alliance and Europe were “not doing the job”, focusing his remarks on ongoing energy trade with Russia. “Europe — they are my friends. But they buy oil from Russia. So we cannot be the only ones working flat out,” he said. He added that he was “ready to impose sanctions” but wanted European measures to be “in line with what I am doing”.
The President said he expected “synchronised or even leading” action from European partners, asserting that, for now, they “only talk, not act”. He also claimed there was an understanding that Europeans would “not buy from Russia — whether natural gas or cigarettes”. He did not specify which countries or supply routes he was referring to.
While NATO does not impose sanctions, the European Union has adopted a series of packages since 2022. The EU banned seaborne imports of Russian crude from 5 December 2022 and petroleum products from 5 February 2023, alongside a G7-aligned price cap. Exemptions were granted for pipeline crude to certain landlocked states, and enforcement measures have been tightened over time.
Energy remains a central strand of EU policy. The 14th sanctions package in June 2024 targeted Russia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) logistics, including restrictions on trans-shipments and other measures intended to curb circumvention. In July 2025, the EU agreed an “18th package” that, according to diplomats, introduces a moving price cap set at 15 per cent below prevailing market prices and expands restrictions on the “shadow fleet” transporting Russian oil.
Some Central European countries have continued to rely on pipeline supplies under the EU derogations. Independent analyses and industry reporting indicate that imports via the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline have persisted to Hungary and Slovakia, though Czechia accelerated diversification in 2025 with new capacity upgrades.
EU institutions have also set out longer-term objectives to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels. In June 2025 the European Commission proposed a plan to phase out remaining Russian oil and gas imports by the end of 2027, subject to agreement by member states and detailed implementation.
Mr Trump’s remarks come as global oil markets weigh the impact of disruptions to Russian energy infrastructure and the trajectory of Western sanctions. Market commentary on Monday noted that prices were steady as traders assessed potential effects on Russian export capacity, while also tracking the prospect of additional policy measures.
The President has recently coupled his sanctions stance with calls for allied trade measures, arguing that tougher European action on Russian energy should be matched by broader economic steps. Reports over the weekend and on Monday cited him urging NATO countries to halt purchases of Russian oil, with some outlets also referencing proposals for significant tariffs on Chinese goods to reduce Moscow’s revenue streams.
European responses have varied by capital. While many member states ended seaborne Russian oil imports in line with the 2022 ban, pipeline exemptions and product waivers created uneven application across the bloc. Analysts and EU briefings have pointed to enforcement efforts against circumvention and to progressive removal of remaining waivers, including steps related to Czechia as it switches to non-Russian supplies.
Mr Trump did not outline a timetable for any new US measures. He framed future action as contingent on “parallel” European steps, reiterating that Washington would not act “alone” while allies continue purchasing Russian energy. His comments are likely to renew debate in Europe over the balance between energy security, market stability, and sanctions effectiveness.
