Donald Trump’s return to the United Nations was marked by fiery rhetoric, a surprise shift in stance on Ukraine – and a sharp reminder from Emmanuel Macron that peace in Gaza could define his legacy.
Following the American president's scathing speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron had a pointed message for Trump: if the US leader really wants a Nobel Peace Prize, he has to stop the war in Gaza.
Speaking to France’s BFM TV from New York, Macron said only Trump had the leverage to push Israel towards ending the conflict.
“There is one person who can do something about it, and that is the US president,” Macron declared. “The reason he can do more than us is because we do not supply the weapons and equipment that allow war to be waged in Gaza. The United States of America does.”
Macron recognises Palestinian state at UN, defying Israel and United Sates
'Reward for Hamas'
Macron’s comments followed Trump’s combative return to the UN General Assembly – his first since re-entering the White House.
He lashed out at the UN itself, accused European partners of letting migration send their countries “to hell” and derided climate change as a “con job”.
In his speech, Trump rejected his European allies’ recognition of a Palestinian state, dismissing it as a “reward for Hamas militants”.
But he also insisted: “We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to immediately negotiate peace.”
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Macron suggested Trump’s own ambitions could hinge on this one issue. “I see an American president who is involved, who reiterated from the podium this morning: ‘I want peace. I have resolved seven conflicts.’ Who wants the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if you stop this conflict."
Several countries, including Israel, Cambodia and Pakistan, have nominated Trump for the award, in recognition of various ceasefire deals.
Trump himself has repeatedly insisted he deserves the prize, noting that four of his predecessors have won it.
Meanwhile, the White House defended his record: “President Trump has done more for peace than everyone present at the United Nations combined,” spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
“Only this president could have accomplished so much for global stability because he has effectively Made America Strong Again.”
Changing stance on Ukraine
Hours after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, Trump declared that he now believes Ukraine can win back all the territory seized by Russia – including Crimea, occupied since 2014.
“I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” he posted on his Truth Social media platform.
“With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders … are very much an option.”
US president Trump set to meet Ukraine's Zelensky ahead of UN address
This was a significant departure from Trump's earlier line that Kyiv would have to give up land in exchange for peace.
Zelensky has long pleaded for stronger US backing. “Trump is a game changer by himself,” he said after their meeting.
This about-turn also reassured European leaders, who had been rattled by Trump’s previous references to “land swapping".
Macron welcomed the change in stance, saying that he was glad to see Washington back Ukraine’s goal of restoring its sovereignty in full.
Trump still insists he could end the war quickly, saying in his UN speech that Russia’s flailing campaign in Ukraine shows it up as a “paper tiger".
The most notable change was his signal that NATO allies should be prepared to shoot down Russian planes violating their airspace – a line that raises the temperature in Europe’s already tense skies.
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Trump slams the UN
During his address to world leaders, Trump accused the UN of doing little more than issuing “really strongly worded letters” and mocked its broken escalator and malfunctioning teleprompter.
While in 2018 fellow leaders chuckled at his bravado, this time they sat in stony silence.
On migration, Trump told European leaders their countries were “going to hell” and accused the UN of “funding an assault” on the West.
On climate change, he doubled down on his scepticism, calling global warming “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world".
Trump also hinted at more sanctions on Russia, and pressure on Europe to stop buying Russian energy.
After talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Trump suggested the organisation needed “certain people” to run it better.
