Overview

• After meeting Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN, President Donald Trump said Ukraine could "regain its territory in its original form, and maybe go further," and called Russia a "paper tiger."
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov rejected the description, argued Ukraine cannot reconquer territory, and said Russia will continue its campaign with "no alternative."
• Moscow characterized recent U.S.-Russia rapprochement as producing "results close to zero" and claimed economic "stability" despite acknowledged sectoral strains.
• Zelensky welcomed the comments as a "turning point," while European officials praised the tougher tone but questioned its durability and highlighted the lack of specified follow-up.
• Trump did not outline any U.S. steps on sanctions, military support or mediation, even as he said NATO members should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate Alliance airspace.