TRUMP URGES NATO NATIONS TO SHOOT DOWN RUSSIAN PLANES VIOLATING AIRSPACE. (PHOTO).

 Trump urges NATO nations to shoot down Russian planes violating airspace

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace, calling for a strong response to recent incursions. The comments came as Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. When asked whether the United States would directly support NATO allies in such scenarios, Trump said, “it depends on the circumstance,” suggesting case-by-case decisions.

Poland and Romania recently reported Russian airspace violations, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble in response. Estonia said three Russian jets entered its airspace last week, a claim Moscow has denied. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski quickly endorsed Trump’s stance, posting “Roger that” on X in reference to shooting down Russian drones. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to defending member territory but clarified that decisions to engage intruding aircraft are made in real time based on intelligence, intent, and potential risk to civilians and infrastructure.

Trump also used his U.N. address to criticize Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, calling it damaging to Moscow’s global standing. He warned that the United States is prepared to impose severe tariffs on Russia if peace negotiations do not advance and urged European nations to stop buying Russian oil and gas. “Europe has to step it up. They can’t be doing what they’re doing. They’re buying oil and gas from Russia while they’re fighting Russia. It’s embarrassing to them,” Trump said.

During his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump reiterated his belief that cutting off Russia’s energy revenues and putting economic pressure on Moscow would accelerate the war’s end. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in her own meeting with Trump, agreed that Europe must end reliance on Russian energy by 2027 or sooner, saying the EU has already significantly reduced imports of gas, coal, and oil. Later, Trump posted on his social media platform that Ukraine, with European support, is in a strong position to “fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form” and potentially go even further.