NEW YORK, Sept 24 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump made bold headlines yesterday after calling on NATO countries to shoot down Russian aircraft that breach allied airspace. His comments came during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of a high-stakes United Nations summit.
When asked by a reporter if NATO should take such decisive action, Trump didn’t hesitate:
“Yes, I do,” he said.
The remark comes amid heightened concerns across Europe following a series of airspace violations by Russian jets and drones, escalating fears of broader conflict. These repeated incursions have deeply unsettled NATO allies, particularly those sharing borders with Russia or close to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Despite the sharp tone, Trump remained elusive on whether he still trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, especially in light of recent escalations.
“I’ll let you know in about a month from now, okay?” he quipped, dodging the question as he’s done in past press briefings.
Trump has previously floated two-week timelines for deciding on tougher stances or new sanctions on Russia—but has yet to follow through in a decisive manner.
Still, Trump struck a slightly more conciliatory tone when speaking about Ukraine’s struggle:
“I have great respect for the fight that Ukraine is putting up. It’s pretty amazing, actually.”
Zelensky, seated beside him, expressed gratitude for Trump’s “personal efforts to stop this war” and aligned with his call for European countries to halt the purchase of Russian oil, which remains a critical revenue stream for Moscow.
The tension is mounting. Just last Friday, NATO had to scramble jets after three Russian MiG-31 fighters breached Estonian airspace for approximately 12 minutes. Estonia has since requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting, while NATO allies intensify consultations.
Earlier this month, Poland reported multiple Russian drone violations during strikes on Ukraine—an incident the Polish government labeled as a “direct act of aggression.” Though Trump once brushed it off as a possible mistake, his recent statement marks a clear shift toward a more aggressive stance on Russian provocations.
