US President Donald Trump, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, said he believes Russia’s war against Ukraine could end sooner than many people expect.
“I think it will happen sooner than people think. Twenty-five thousand young people, mostly soldiers, have been killed. I look at these pictures from the battlefield. I don’t want to see them anymore,” Trump said, stressing that it was time to stop the killing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also present at the General Assembly and listened to Trump’s speech. Zelensky is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly and hold talks with Trump.
Trump also said he could use new measures against Russia if necessary. He referred to the recently signed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which gives the US president expanded powers to impose tariffs and sanctions.
The law allows tariffs of up to 100% on major countries purchasing Russian oil and natural gas. It also targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, banks, officials and the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent existing sanctions.
Trump said he would use the new powers if necessary to increase economic pressure on Russia.
