US President Donald Trump has urged NATO countries not to hesitate to shoot down Russian planes if they violate their airspace. The strong statement comes after reports that Russian drones entered Polish airspace this week, amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump made his comments to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
When asked whether NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft entering their airspace, Trump confirmed that they should. On whether the US would support NATO allies in such a scenario, he said it depends on the circumstances, but emphasized that the US has a strong position with NATO. The UN General Assembly is currently bringing together world leaders, and Trump engaged in bilateral talks with several high-ranking officials, including Zelensky.
Trump expressed frustration with the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting his impatience with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reluctance to negotiate a settlement. He emphasized that NATO countries must respond decisively to Russian provocations. This month alone, there have been three major incidents of Russian aircraft entering the airspace of countries other than Ukraine. On September 19, three Russian MiG-31 jets briefly entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland for about 12 minutes. NATO planes intercepted the jets, but they were not shot down. A similar incursion occurred on September 21. Trump’s statement is expected to add a new dimension to the international debate over NATO’s response to Russian movements and could influence diplomatic strategies in the coming months.
Trump signals shift on Ukraine’s territorial recovery and NATO strategy
In addition to his comments on NATO, Trump also addressed Ukraine’s ability to reclaim territory lost to Russia. Posting on Truth Social after his meeting with Zelensky, he stated that Ukraine could take back all the territories seized by Russia, marking a notable shift from his previous stance. Earlier, Trump had indicated that Ukraine would not regain territories including Crimea.
🚨 "…Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act. In any event, I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all!" – PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/YI0N4JF4ll
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 23, 2025
Trump said that when reviewing the military and economic situation of Ukraine and Russia, he thinks that Ukraine will be able to regain the lost territories with the help of the European Union. He added that with time, patience, and the support of Europe and NATO, Ukraine can return to the state where the borders were when the war began. He described Russia as a ‘paper tiger,’ pointing out that they have been fighting a war for three and a half years without a clear sense of purpose in a conflict that real military power could have resolved in a week. He noted that Putin and Russia are in a severe economic crisis and that this is the right time for Ukraine. He added that the US will continue to provide weapons to NATO, and that NATO will decide what to do.
Previously, Trump had stated that he would not discuss the return of Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014, and had indicated that he would not open NATO membership to Ukraine. His recent statements signal a clear change in position on both issues, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape. Such shifts could heighten tensions in Europe and internationally, raising the stakes for NATO’s next moves and future diplomatic negotiations.
Trump’s remarks reflect a more assertive approach toward Russia and signal a willingness to support Ukraine in reclaiming lost territories, even as questions remain about NATO’s unified response and the broader strategic consequences of escalating tensions in the region.
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