Trump Urges NATO Countries to Shoot Down Russian Aircraft, Says During Meeting With Zelensky

President Donald Trump stated that the biggest progress toward ending the conflict is Russia’s current weak economic condition. Zelensky affirmed Ukraine agrees with Trump’s call for European countries to stop importing Russian oil and natural gas.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Ukraine can reclaim all territories occupied by Russia. He shared his stance immediately after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Trump posted, “I believe Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and restore the entire country to its original form. With time, patience, and financial backing from Europe, especially NATO, returning to pre-war borders is possible.”

During a bilateral meeting in New York, when Zelensky asked Trump if NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft entering their airspace, Trump responded affirmatively. When questioned about his trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin, he replied, “I will tell you in about a month.”

Following the meeting, Trump highlighted that Ukraine is capable of winning and restoring its territories with European support. However, the post did not mention new U.S. sanctions or tariffs on Russia’s energy sector. Trump has discussed these issues with European leaders, signaling that NATO members will continue purchasing U.S. weapons and transferring them to Ukraine.

Speaking about his 2024 election campaign, Trump emphasized his intention to end the war quickly. He frequently remarked that America’s interest in the outcome is limited. Trump noted that Russia has fought a pointless war for over three and a half years, which a real military power could have ended in less than a week.

During their meeting, Zelensky warmly welcomed Trump despite prior tense interactions between the two leaders. Zelensky requested additional U.S. support to protect Ukraine from Russian missile, drone, and bomb attacks. Trump expressed deep respect for Ukraine’s ongoing fight, to which Zelensky responded, “We have good news from the battlefield. We will discuss how to end the war and security guarantees.” Zelensky also thanked Trump for attending the meeting and for his personal efforts to stop the conflict.

Trump observed that Russia’s current economic decline represents the biggest progress toward ending the conflict. Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine agrees with Trump’s appeal for European nations to halt imports of Russian oil and natural gas.

Reflecting on the human cost, Trump said this war should have been a minor skirmish. During his General Assembly speech, he stated that Ukraine’s struggle exposes poor leadership, warning of unnecessary loss of lives.

After more than three years of fighting Russia’s invading forces under front-line pressure, Zelensky met world leaders in New York and addressed a special UN Security Council session on Ukraine.

Trump’s peace initiatives since returning to the presidency in January seem stalled. His Alaska summit with Putin and White House meetings with Zelensky and European leaders occurred over a month ago, but the war continues. Trump had proposed direct talks between Putin and Zelensky, yet Putin showed no interest and escalated bombings in Ukraine.

European leaders and U.S. lawmakers, including Trump’s Republican allies, have urged stronger sanctions and restrictions on Russia. Trump repeatedly pressured Europe to stop purchasing Russian oil, the engine of Putin’s war machine.

Trump emphasized that imposing strong tariffs could quickly curb bloodshed. Before meeting Zelensky, he spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who confirmed Europe’s plans to further sanction Russia and reduce energy imports.

European leaders support Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts, although some worry the war could expand beyond Ukraine due to Russian provocations. NATO allies will formally consult on Estonia’s request after three Russian fighter jets recently entered its airspace without permission.

Trump declared he will back NATO nations that choose to shoot down intruding Russian aircraft, while U.S. involvement will depend on specific conditions. Meanwhile, the ongoing war, which began on February 24, 2022, continues to heavily impact Ukrainian civilians.

The UN Human Rights Office reported that Russian long-range missile and local drone attacks caused a 40% increase in civilian casualties during the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.