U.S. President Donald Trump said a swift resolution to the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine remains unlikely, during a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Speaking to reporters, Trump pointed to Russia’s deteriorating economy as one of the few signs of progress toward ending the conflict. “The most significant development is the disastrous state of the Russian economy. It’s essentially collapsing. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to demonstrate an impressive ability to hold off such a massive military force,” Trump said, according to Meduza.
He acknowledged that the war’s trajectory has surprised many observers: “People thought this war would be over in three or four days. But Ukrainian forces and all involved in its defense have performed brilliantly. The conflict goes on, clearly not in Russia’s favor. They expected a quick victory, but three and a half years of intense fighting later, there’s no end in sight.”
In a marked departure from his earlier rhetoric, Trump expressed strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. As reported by the BBC’s Russian Service, he stated that with sufficient support from Europe, Ukraine could potentially reclaim all territories occupied by Russia.
“It will take time, patience, and financial backing — especially from Europe and NATO. But restoring the original borders where this war began is now a real possibility,” he said. When asked if he agreed with this assessment, Trump responded, “Yes, I do.”
Trump also addressed recent violations of NATO airspace by Russian aircraft, saying member countries should respond forcefully, including the potential downing of intruding planes. However, when asked whether the United States would support NATO allies in such actions, Trump replied that it would depend on the specific circumstances.
Pressed on whether he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump sidestepped the question, saying he would reveal his position “in about a month.”
Trump’s current stance contrasts sharply with remarks made during his 2024 presidential campaign, where he frequently claimed he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours if elected. Following his election, however, he dismissed those statements as “sarcasm.”
The briefing comes amid a surge in regional tensions. On September 10, around 20 drones launched by Russian forces reportedly entered Polish airspace, with several being shot down. Days later, on September 19, Russian fighter jets were spotted over Estonia and near Poland’s Petrobaltic oil platform in the Baltic Sea, marking at least two confirmed NATO airspace violations this month.
