Zelensky Sees 'Very Positive Signals' in Trump’s UN Speech on Ukraine

Trump Signals Stronger U.S. Backing for Ukraine at UN, Surprising Zelensky

President Donald Trump used his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly to deliver a sharp message about the war in Ukraine, marking what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called a “surprise” shift in tone toward stronger U.S. support. The White House / Wikimedia

Zelensky Welcomes Trump’s “Very Positive Signals” of U.S. Support

During a Tuesday interview on Fox News’s "Special Report," Zelensky said, “It was a surprise for me, you’re right,” and described Trump’s comments as “very positive signals from the side that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war.” The White House / Wikimedia

Trump Calls Russia a “Paper Tiger” and Predicts Ukraine Will “Fight and WIN”

The reaction followed a forceful post Trump published on Truth Social after his speech, declaring Ukraine’s ability to “fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form” and dismissing Moscow’s military strength. “Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win,” Trump wrote. “This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger.’” The White House / Wikimedia

Diplomatic Backdrop and Peace Talks

Trump’s more assertive stance comes on the heels of an in-person summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month, followed by meetings with Zelensky and European leaders at the White House. Both Zelensky and Putin presented broad outlines to end the war, but no signed proposal or direct encouragement from Washington has emerged. Trump has suggested the two leaders meet face-to-face, but negotiations remain stalled. PD-US / Wikimedia

Ongoing Hostilities and NATO Concerns

While diplomacy drags, Russia has intensified attacks—striking Kyiv and deploying drones into Ukrainian, Romanian, and Belarusian airspace. The escalation has prompted NATO to invoke Article 4, which allows consultations when an ally’s security is threatened. PD-US / Wikimedia

U.S. Commitments to NATO

Trump reaffirmed U.S. military support for NATO, pledging continued weapons supplies for the alliance to “do what they want” with them. Zelensky responded, “We will see, but God bless, it will be so,” signaling cautious optimism over Washington’s renewed backing. The White House / Wikimedia