Zelensky: Trump is a ‘game changer’ in Ukraine conflict
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Donald Trump has said that Kyiv is in a position to win “all of Ukraine back in its original form” in a striking rhetorical shift against Russia.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US President said the Russian army was a “paper tiger” and that Kyiv should act now to win back all of the land captured since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.
His comments came after he met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday evening, where he delivered an extraordinary attack on Washington’s allies over their climate and migration policies. Trump made several false claims in the speech, including the baseless far-right conspiracy theory that London has adopted sharia law.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act,” he added.
The US president also said Nato should shoot down Russian warplanes violating the alliance’s skies after incursions were reported in Poland, Romania and Estonia.
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Key Points
Trump reverses stance on territory, saying Kyiv can win it backKremlin dismisses Trump's comments on Russia's war effortTrump says Nato can shoot down Putin’s planes violating airspaceTrump fires shot at Putin for his 'bad leadership' in UN speechZelensky asks for Trump's help with ChinaNato chief says Russian incursions either intentional or 'blatant incompetence'
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1 hour ago
Watch: Trump backs shooting down of Russian jets if they enter NATO airspace
Trump backs shooting down of Russian jets if they enter NATO airspace
Alex Croft24 September 2025 09:42
1 hour ago
Kremlin dismisses Trump's comments on Russia's war effort
The Kremlin has dismissed comments by US president Donald Trump describing Russia as a "paper tiger", adding that president Vladimir Putin values his efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Russia is a bear, not a tiger, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, and "there is no such thing as a paper bear".
Trump said on Tuesday that he believed Ukraine could retake all of the territory captured by Russia and that Kyiv should act now, with Moscow facing "big" economic problems. His comments marked a sudden and striking rhetorical shift in Ukraine's favour.
Peskov, responding in a radio interview to Trump's comments, said the Russian army was advancing in Ukraine and the dynamics on the front line were obvious.
He said that the stability of the Russian economy was ensured.
Alex Croft24 September 2025 09:25
1 hour ago
Trump reverses stance on territory, saying Kyiv can win it back - full post
Donald Trump has said Ukraine can win back all territory it has lost to Russia - a dramatic shift from the American leader's previous call on Kyiv to make concessions.
Soon after meeting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr Trump wrote on TruthSocial: "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.
“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."
Here is Trump’s full post on Truth Social.
(Donald Trump / Truth Social)
Alex Croft24 September 2025 09:05
2 hours ago
Analysis | Trump was rude and bombastic – but spoke one sobering truth
Donald Trump has taken to the United Nations to show how pointless Britain’s courting of the US president with a state visit really was.
Speaking at the UN’s annual general assembly, he told world leaders that London is heading for sharia law and issued all-too-clippable rallying cries for far-right extremists in Europe.
Sir Keir Starmer’s enlistment of King Charles III in a charm offensive with carriage rides around Windsor, state dinners and three days of non-stop flattery delivered nothing but anti-British ranting and un-British extremism.
Donald Trump showed Britain’s recent royal treatment counted for nothing during his UN rant, but he spoke one truth about Ukraine that makes uncomfortable viewing, writes World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley:
Trump was rude and bombastic – but spoke one sobering truth
Donald Trump showed Britain’s recent royal treatment counted for nothing during his UN rant, but he spoke one truth about Ukraine that makes uncomfortable viewing, writes World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley
Alex Croft24 September 2025 08:52
2 hours ago
Russia's Salavat petrochemical complex attacked by Ukraine, governor says
The Salavat petrochemical complex, controlled by energy giant Gazprom, in Russia's Bashkortostan was attacked by Ukrainian drones, regional governor Ruslan Khabirov said on Wednesday via his channel on Telegram.
Emergency services are taking measures to extinguish the fire caused by the attack, the governor said.
The energy site is around 1,500 kilometres deep inside Russia.
Ukrainian drones also attacked energy infrastructure in the Volgorad region, Russian authorities said.
Alex Croft24 September 2025 08:30
2 hours ago
Europe must step up support for Ukraine - German foreign minister
European countries need to step up their support for Ukraine, Germany's foreign minister said on Wednesday, following remarks by US president Donald Trump that Ukraine could retake all of its land occupied by Russia.
"We can achieve much more; not all European states have done what they promised Ukraine for a long time. We need to look at what other financial and military options we have," Johann Wadephul told radio station Deutschlandfunk.
Alex Croft24 September 2025 08:16
2 hours ago
Mapped: How much of Ukraine does Russia currently hold?
Alex Croft24 September 2025 07:54
3 hours ago
Russia repels 'massive' Ukrainian attack on energy infrastructure, say local authorities
Russian air defence units have repelled a "massive" drone attack on fuel and energy infrastructure facilities in the Volgograd region, governor Andrey Bocharov said on Wednesday.
No casualties have been reported according to early data, he said.
Russia's defence ministry said the military intercepted and destroyed 70 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight.
Alex Croft24 September 2025 07:40
3 hours ago
Ukraine to face new gruelling test as Russia intensifies Donetsk campaign
Ukraine is gearing up for a new test from Russia as Vladimir Putin’s forces ramp up their campaign to seize Donetsk’s fortress belt.
Almost 70 per cent of the region is now held by Moscow, with just four cities in the zone remaining independent from Russian rule.
Putin’s forces are now using infiltration tactics to secure the remaining Ukrainian outposts, a tactic Col Pavlo Yurchuk, commander of Ukraine’s 63rd Brigade, said will not lead to “control of large settlements”.
He said that if Russian capture Lyman, then they could cross the Siverskyi Donets River and take Sloviansk, though he is “sure they will fail”.
“From a military point of view it looks correct — on the map it looks neat — but after nearly three and a half years of war we all know that such deep manoeuvres and wide flanking operations are not Russia’s forte.”
Ukraine to face new gruelling test as Russia intensifies Donetsk campaign
Ukraine is gearing up for a new test from Russia as Vladimir Putin’s forces ramp up their campaign to seize Donetsk’s fortress belt. Almost 70 per cent of the region is now held by Moscow, with just four cities in the zone remaining independent from Russian rule. Putin’s forces are now using infiltration tactics to secure the remaining Ukrainian outposts, a tactic Col. Pavlo Yurchuk, commander of Ukraine’s 63rd Brigade, said will not lead to “control of large settlements”. He said that if Russian capture Lyman, then they could cross the Siverskyi Donets River and take Sloviansk, though he is “sure they will fail”. “From a military point of view it looks correct — on the map it looks neat — but after nearly three and a half years of war we all know that such deep manoeuvres and wide flanking operations are not Russia’s forte.”
Arpan Rai24 September 2025 07:20
3 hours ago
Trump says Nato can shoot down Putin’s planes violating airspace
US president Donald Trump has said Nato should shoot down Russian warplanes violating the alliance’s skies after incursions were reported in Poland, Romania and Estonia.
On being asked by reporters whether he thinks Nato nations should shoot down Russian aircraft in such circumstances, the president said: “Yes, I do.”
Estonia on Friday confirmed three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes before Italian fighter jets escorted them out.
The week before, some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting Nato jets to shoot some of them down and the alliance to beef up the defence of Europe's eastern flank.
US president Donald Trump points to attendees after delivering remarks to the United Nations General Assembly(AFP via Getty Images)
Arpan Rai24 September 2025 07:10
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