On Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz issued a direct warning to Vladimir Putin following President Trump’s recent proposal for NATO allies to shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace. Waltz, a former Florida Republican congressman, made the statement on the ‘Fox & Friends’ show, where he emphasized that Trump’s stance is not a mere rhetorical statement but a serious diplomatic message.
‘Putin, the Russians, should take the message from the president [seriously]. He’s not messing around,’ Waltz warned. He also drew parallels to prior Iranian experiences, suggesting that Trump is prepared to use both carrots and sticks in his approach to foreign policy. Waltz further noted that this message was conveyed to Putin just yesterday, underscoring the immediacy of the situation.
The warning preceded a major shift in Russia’s strategy, as reported by Fox News, highlighting a transition from diplomatic discussions to direct actions targeting NATO’s homeland. This move has intensified fears of a potential global conflict, with Russia reportedly focusing on direct strikes against NATO bases.
Waltz was joined by conservative commentator Brian Kilmeade the morning after Trump’s suggestion during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Trump’s response to a reporter’s question about the feasibility of NATO shooting down Russian aircraft was straightforward: ‘Yes, I do.’ This position has been supported by Waltz, who labeled it ‘common sense’ given the recent airspace violations by Russian forces in Romania, Estonia, and Poland.
Trump has been a vocal advocate for ending the Russia-Ukraine war since his return to office in January. He has repeatedly met with both leaders and urged them to negotiate a peace agreement. While discussions on lifting U.S. weapon restrictions for Ukraine were deferred to the president, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump has publicly emphasized that he is willing to adjust his position to achieve peace.
Trump’s recent statements, including a post on Truth Social suggesting that Ukraine could reclaim all its territory with Western and NATO support, have been met with optimism from Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader expressed confidence in Trump’s commitment to the war effort, stating, ‘I was very positive about signals from the side that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war,’ according to Fox News’ Bret Baier.