Rep. Mike McCaul, the former chairman of the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs committees in Congress, said he was confident that NATO members would heed President Trump’s call for them to cut off Russian oil.

On Sunday, Mr. McCaul, a Texas Republican, told Martha Raddatz on ABC’s “This Week” program that it didn’t make sense to slap secondary sanctions on Russia if NATO members like France and Germany are allowed to continue filling their tanks with the Kremlin’s oil.

“This has to be a team effort. I think NATO needs to stick together on this,” Mr. McCaul said. “I predict that is what’s going to happen.”

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely never interested in a just and lasting peace with neighboring Ukraine, even during his discussions with President Trump.

“Putin is KGB once and always, and I don’t think he’s playing fair,” Mr McCaul said. “I think he’s manipulating the president as a KGB officer would.”

Russia’s largest exports are overwhelmingly concentrated in the mineral fuels and oils category, with crude oil, refined petroleum, natural gas and coal being the most significant products. 

China is the Kremlin’s largest customer, followed by India and Turkey, a NATO member.

The European Union’s imports of Russian fossil fuels have steadily declined, with recent totals less than half in monetary values compared to pre-invasion levels, CERA officials said.

“NATO’s commitment to win has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It greatly weakens your negotiating position and bargaining power over Russia.”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.