In a recent Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty article, experts examined U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for NATO members to end imports of Russian crude if they want Washington to tighten sanctions on Moscow. The proposal would primarily affect Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, the only NATO countries still importing Russian oil.
“Trump’s threats so far have largely been directed at India and, to an extent, China. Turkey was never kind of in the mix. So, this is an interesting new development,” said Benjamin Hilgenstock, senior economist at the KSE Institute. Hilgenstock, who is also an Associate Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations, noted that losing Turkey as a buyer would be a major economic setback for Moscow.
The report highlights that Turkey is now the third-largest importer of Russian crude worldwide, drawn by steep discounts and profitable refining operations that supply European markets. Yet analysts stress that Ankara’s deep energy dependence and complex political ties with both Moscow and Washington could make compliance with Trump’s demands particularly difficult.
Hilgenstock emphasized that cutting off Turkey’s imports would force Russia to offer even steeper discounts to retain alternative buyers, adding pressure to an already strained economy. However, he noted that the political costs of such moves for NATO members remain high.
To explore Benjamin Hilgenstock’s full commentary and the broader discussion on Trump’s emerging sanctions strategy, read the complete article by the team at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Further Reading
Energy exports play a crucial role in Russia’s economy and have long served as a source of geopolitical leverage over dependent countries. Sanctions targeting the energy sector aim to reduce state revenues and diminish Russia’s geopolitical influence. Explore the latest research on sanctions against Russia and its energy industry in the Sanctions Portal Evidence Base section.
For more expert analysis from the KSE Institute, visit the institute’s homepage.
