President Trump declared that Russian aircraft breaching NATO airspace must be shot down (Image: Getty)
President Trump declared that Russian aircraft breaching NATO airspace must be shot down as he adopted a tougher stance against Moscow following setbacks in his efforts to halt the Ukraine conflict.
The president’s comments followed his confrontational address to the United Nations where he mocked Russia‘s inability to crush Ukraine, with Trump stating that America’s direct participation in targeting Russian violations would hinge on specific situations.
Prior to his scheduled talks with President Zelensky, a journalist questioned Trump: “Mr President, do you think that they should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace?”
Trump responded: “Yes, I do.”
The reporter followed up: “You said that you thought that [NATO allies] should shoot down the Russian aircraft. Would you back them up? Would the United States help them out in some way?”
Trump declared: “Depends on the circumstance. But, you know, we’re very strong toward NATO. NATO has stepped up. You know, when they went from 2 per cent to 5 per cent, that was great unity. Trillions of dollars is being pumped in and they’re paying us for the weapons that we sent.”
The president’s stance escalates tensions over future violations after Poland’s leader Donald Tusk announced his nation would “without discussion” destroy flying objects breaching Polish territory.
Read more: Donald Trump makes dramatic order to Zelensky over lost lands ‘win it all back’
Read more: German armed forces planning for 1k wounded troops a day in WW3 panic
Trump shifts Ukraine strategy
Trump used his UN appearance in New York to reshape his war approach, describing Zelensky as “a brave man” and later posting his belief that Ukraine could reclaim all territory with European backing.
“Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger’.”
When questioned about trusting President Putin, Trump said he would provide an answer in “about a month”.
Trump informed journalists: “I thought [solving the war] was going to be the easiest one because of my relationship with Putin. Unfortunately, that relationship didn’t mean anything.”
Complete reversal from February stance
The president’s position marks a dramatic shift from February when he criticized Zelensky in the Oval Office, declaring “you don’t have the cards” while suggesting Ukraine faced defeat.
Zelensky addressed reporters at the UN on Tuesday: “Trump is a game-changer by himself.” He described Trump’s post as a “big shift” and “very positive.”
“He is ready to give Ukraine security guarantees” after the war ends, Zelensky stated.
During a Fox News appearance Tuesday evening, Zelensky admitted being “a little bit” shocked by Trump’s altered attitude toward the Ukraine conflict.
“I think we have better relations than before,” he explained. “I see very positive signals that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war.”
Trump discussed America’s direct participation in targeting Russian violations at the UN (Image: Getty)
Zelensky warns of Putin’s expansion plans
The Ukrainian leader cautioned European nations that Putin “feels” they cannot protect themselves after Russian aircraft and drones penetrated Polish, Estonian and Danish airspace. He claimed Europe lacked sufficient air defenses and warned Putin “wants to go to other territories”.
Zelensky suggested Putin was “afraid” to meet him face-to-face and dismissed the Russian leader’s invitation for Moscow talks as a method of “postponing” the encounter.
Trump met French President Macron later Tuesday and confirmed his conviction that Ukraine deserves full territorial restoration. “So it’s a very sad situation, but most of you have seen the recent statement I put out a little while ago, and I’m glad you got it, but I feel that way. I really do feel that way. Let them get their land back.”
Trump outlines victory strategy
In his Truth Social message, Trump explained that “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form. With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders from where this war started, is very much an option.”
Trump’s policy shift emerged during a speech warning Europe faced destruction from a “double-tailed monster” of immigration and clean energy policies. “Your countries are going to hell,” he concluded.
Trump targets Britain over Islamic law claims
Just one week after his historic second state visit to Britain, the president singled out the UK with allegations that London was moving toward Islamic law under mayor Sir Sadiq Khan while squandering North Sea oil opportunities. “I hope the prime minister is listening,” he stated.
Trump also attacked nations recognizing Palestinian statehood this week, including Britain, France and Canada, branding it “rewards … for Hamas terrorists … a reward for their horrible atrocities”.
The president transformed his allocated 15-minute UN General Assembly slot into an hour-long address to 193 member delegations about the “ruin” he claimed resulted from politically correct policies while urging them to adopt his America First model.
Minor incidents become major talking points
Trump highlighted two small incidents — an escalator malfunction as Melania Trump approached and his teleprompter failure — as additional evidence of UN incompetence. Last week, The Sunday Times reported UN staff joked about disabling an escalator. A UN spokesman confirmed they were genuine accidents.
Trump claimed Europe had been “invaded by a force of illegal aliens like nobody has ever seen before”. He continued: “I have to say, I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor — terrible, terrible mayor — and it’s been so changed, so changed.”
The president stayed at Winfield House in Regent’s Park, the US ambassador’s residence, one week earlier. “Now they want to go to sharia law. But you’re in a different country. You can’t do that,” he declared.
“Both the immigration and their suicidal energy ideas will be the death of western Europe if something is not done immediately. This cannot be sustained. What makes the world so beautiful is that each country is unique. But to stay this way, every sovereign nation must have the right to control their own borders.”
He later added: “You’re doing it because you want to be nice, because you want to be politically correct, and you’re destroying your heritage.”
Khan hits back at Trump attack
Trump has repeatedly clashed with Khan, who stated last week that he rejected Trump’s “picture of Britain as a dystopian society where repression means our rights are under threat”.
Khan responded on X, posting: “I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Ignore the haters, London is the goat [greatest of all time],” using an emoji.
