Zelensky Urges Arms Aid; Trump Signals Support

Ukrainian forces reported renewed gains on the Dobropillia front, retaking territory and inflicting losses on Russian personnel and equipment. At the U.N. General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia seeks to expand the war, said the world is living through an accelerating arms race driven by advances such as AI-enabled drone warfare, urged stronger partnerships and announced Ukraine would open exports of weapons tested in combat. The speech followed a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who made a sharp rhetorical shift saying Ukraine, with EU and NATO support, could “fight and WIN” to reclaim all territory and called Russia a “paper tiger.” Moscow rejected that characterization, with the Kremlin calling Russia a “real bear,” defending its military approach and insisting its economy remains stable. Observers cautioned that the new rhetoric has not yet produced clear additional military commitments and warned it could risk escalation if translated into broader NATO involvement.