Trump urges Zelensky to reclaim all Ukrainian territory amid rising NATO–Russia tensions

President Donald Trump has dramatically reversed his position on the Ukraine war, calling on President Volodymyr Zelensky to reclaim all of Ukraine’s occupied territory from Russia — and “perhaps even go further.”

The policy shift was unveiled in a lengthy post on Truth Social following Trump’s address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

“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,” Trump wrote. Dismissing Russia as a “paper tiger” facing economic collapse, he added that Kyiv could retake its lands and “maybe even go further than that.”

Trump, who has previously pressed for a negotiated settlement to the conflict, suggested NATO and the EU should intensify support for Kyiv. “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. Why not?” he wrote.

The comments mark a striking departure from Trump’s past reluctance to fully back Zelensky. Earlier this year, the two leaders clashed in a televised exchange when Trump told the Ukrainian president: “You don’t have the cards to win.”

His remarks also follow a controversial meeting last month in Alaska, where Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin — an encounter he downplayed on Tuesday, telling French President Emmanuel Macron, “That relationship didn’t mean anything.”

Zelensky admitted surprise at the shift but welcomed Trump’s support. Speaking to Fox News, he said: “President Trump was more positive in it and he showed that he wants to support Ukraine to the very end. We understand now that we are ready to finish this war as quick as possible.”

The Ukrainian leader called Trump’s statement “a big shift,” noting that the U.S. president appeared ready to guarantee Ukraine’s security once the war is over. He also claimed Trump had been misled by “fairytales” from Putin about Russia’s military strength.

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Trump’s hawkish tone extended to NATO’s handling of recent Russian provocations. Asked whether alliance members should shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace, Trump replied bluntly: “Yes, I do.”

He later told reporters that U.S. involvement in such operations would “depend on the circumstance,” but stressed that “NATO has stepped up.”

The remarks came amid heightened tensions after three Russian MiG-31 jets entered Estonian airspace on September 19, and days after swarms of Russian drones crossed into Poland and Romania. NATO jets intercepted some of the incursions.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, addressing the UN Security Council on Tuesday, echoed Trump’s warning. She condemned Moscow’s “provocative and reckless” behavior, insisting that “Ukraine’s security is our security.”

Russia, meanwhile, has dismissed the allegations of deliberate violations as “hysterical” and “baseless,” accusing the West of escalating tensions.

Trump’s envoy for Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg, also backed a firmer NATO stance. In remarks caught on the sidelines of the UN summit, Kellogg said Russian incursions should be treated as “tests” of Western resolve. “Six hours of drones? That’s a test — a way to see what the West would do. And we have to respond like it’s a test,” he said.

Despite doubts within his administration about the durability of U.S. support, Trump doubled down on economic measures, urging European countries to stop buying Russian oil.

“It’s embarrassing that Europe is funding the war against themselves,” he said, adding that he planned to call Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to press him to halt purchases.

As Trump hardens his rhetoric against Moscow, the shift has raised hopes in Kyiv but also sharpened anxieties across Europe that any misstep in the air or on the battlefield could draw NATO into direct conflict with Russia.