President Donald Trump told reporters at the United Nations that NATO member nations should shoot down Russian aircraft if they violate their sovereign airspace. Trump said “yes I do” when asked whether he supported such an action, though he added backing from the U.S. would “depend on the circumstance.”
He made the remark while meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Several NATO countries, including Poland, Romania, and Estonia, have reported Russian jets or drones entering their airspace in recent weeks.
When asked if the U.S. would assist by backing NATO in shooting down aircraft, Trump said it would depend on the situation and offered no automatic commitment. He also criticized European allies for continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas while at the same time seeking U.S. support against Moscow.
The comments highlight growing tensions within NATO as the war in Ukraine continues to impact Europe’s security environment. Member states face the challenge of deterring Russian aggression without escalating into a direct NATO-Russia confrontation. Trump’s remarks signal support for stronger defensive action while leaving flexibility on the scope of U.S. involvement.
