Kyiv can drive Russia out of Ukraine with Europe’s support, President Donald Trump declared. He also endorsed the right to shoot down Russian aircraft that violate NATO airspace.
According to NZZ, President Donald Trump has shifted to a noticeably tougher rhetoric toward Moscow. First, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, he backed the idea of downing Russian aircraft if they unlawfully enter the airspace of NATO member states. He then expanded on the point in a lengthy Truth Social post.
After a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, Trump wrote: “I believe that Ukraine, with the support of the EU, is in a position to fight and restore the whole of Ukraine to its original borders,” adding: “they might even be able to go further!”
“It’s time for Ukraine to act”
Trump sharply criticized Russia’s armed forces, noting that Russia has been waging a “aimless” war for three and a half years—one that “a true military power should have won in less than a week.” He pointed to domestic troubles in Russia as well—“the population is getting almost no gasoline.” According to Trump, “Putin and Russia are in BIG economic trouble, and now is the time for Ukraine to act.” He also promised to continue supplying NATO with weapons that the Alliance could use “at its own discretion.”
This stance stands in stark contrast to his tone just a few months ago, when during a disastrous White House encounter Trump publicly lectured Zelenskyy that he “held no winning cards.” Even around the August bilateral summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump seemed convinced that Ukraine would have to cede territory to end the conflict.
Rubio: Reversal triggered by Russia’s escalation
As NZZ notes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio linked the sudden pro-Kyiv pivot to Moscow’s “dragging out” of the peace process. Trump, Rubio said, had hoped for a diplomatic breakthrough; instead, “we are in a phase of potential escalation.”
Rubio pointed to Russia’s ongoing strikes against Ukraine and violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones and aircraft. He warned Moscow of possible new economic sanctions and additional arms deliveries to Kyiv. President Donald Trump, he said, has “real options” and “will act if Russian aggression continues.” Rubio stressed: “The President is a very patient man. He is deeply committed to peace, but his patience is not infinite.”
Rhetoric vs. policy: will there be a real shift?
Whether this tougher rhetoric will translate into a policy change remains unclear. Since taking office, Trump has not approved new aid packages for Ukraine or imposed additional sanctions on Russia, viewing the war in Ukraine primarily as a “European matter.” He reaffirmed this in his latest post, naming the EU as Kyiv’s key partner while simultaneously emphasizing NATO’s role.
Kyiv, nevertheless, responded very positively. Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the statement from the White House “a major shift.” He said he had briefed the American leader in detail on the battlefield situation, and Trump shared his assessment. Zelenskyy has recently struck a more optimistic tone as Russia’s summer offensive has stalled. At the same time, Rubio tempered expectations of a complete Ukrainian military victory, stressing: “The war cannot end militarily. It will end at the negotiating table.”
This article was prepared based on materials published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
All rights to the original text belong to Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
