Britain says it is ready to act as Trump backs shooting down Russian planes, NATO warns

Britain signaled it is ready to act after Donald Trump urged NATO members to shoot down Russian aircraft in the alliance’s airspace, as the United States president appeared to shift his stance on Ukraine amid a series of provocative air violations by Moscow.

Yvette Cooper, the British foreign secretary, told the United Nations Security Council that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from global security and from upholding the UN Charter. She stated that NATO has shown resolve in responding to a pattern of airspace intrusions by Russian forces and that the alliance would act as needed to defend itself and deter threats from all directions. Cooper’s remarks came at a moment of heightened tension as Russia’s air activity near alliance borders drew fresh condemnation.

NATO also weighed in on the incursions, noting a Friday flight by three MiG-31 jets as part of a broader pattern of what it called increasingly irresponsible Russian behavior. In a formal statement, the alliance warned Russia should be in no doubt that it will employ all necessary military and non-military tools under international law to defend alliance members and deter threats from all directions.

The geopolitical moment also featured a notable shift in tone from Trump, who suggested Kyiv could recover all the territory it has lost and questioned Moscow’s military strengths. In New York, during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump affirmed a hawkish posture toward Russia by telling reporters that Russian planes in NATO airspace should be shot down, responding with a firm “Yes I do.” The comments underscored a reevaluation of how far Washington is prepared to go as it pressures Moscow and reassesses its own strategy for deterring Moscow’s actions along Europe’s periphery.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson also weighed in, criticizing what he described as a lack of will, leadership and urgency among the UK and its allies to do more for Ukraine. Johnson argued that frozen Russian assets should be used to fund the war effort, urged sanctions on Rosneft and other Russian energy companies, and pressed for secondary sanctions on those purchasing Russian hydrocarbons. He said the delays reflect a broader hesitation about consequences, rather than an absence of support for Kyiv.

The exchange of sharp rhetoric accompanies ongoing calls from Western officials for a united, tangible response to Russia’s military activities and a determination to uphold international norms. While Trump’s remarks signal a potential recalibration in U.S. posture, NATO emphasized that its duty remains defending its members and deterring further aggression, a message that bears heavily on the already tense security landscape in Europe and beyond.

The developments unfold as Kyiv and its Western allies press for sustained support to counter Russia’s aggression, and as leaders at the United Nations and in European capitals navigate a delicate balance between deterrence, diplomacy and the risks of escalation. In this context, Britain’s readiness to act and NATO’s insistence on a comprehensive toolkit reflect a broad, concerted effort to prevent further destabilization in a region keenly watching how far Western resolve will extend.