Trump’s UN speech: Ukraine, threats to Iran and Greenland security deal

US President Donald Trump addressed the UN General Assembly, outlining his administration’s policies and issuing a series of threats toward other countries. Much of the speech focused on Iran, but he also discussed Ukraine, Cuba and Greenland.

Trump said his diplomatic efforts would end Russia’s war against Ukraine “much faster than people imagine”. He did not specify concrete steps toward a peace agreement.

Trump repeats promise to end the war

The president suggested he could use a new law imposing sanctions on Russia, signed last week, if necessary to stop the war. On the sidelines of the summit, he held a 40-minute meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Afterward, Zelenskyy said the war could end by winter with Trump’s help. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York on Wednesday, the State Department said.

Trump also referred to First Lady Melania Trump’s efforts to return Ukrainian children taken by Russia. The White House previously said she had helped return 34 Ukrainian children, while Trump’s speech referred to “displaced Ukrainian and Russian children”.

Threats to Iran and criticism of Cuba

Trump presented Iran with a choice between reaching an agreement with Washington and, in his words, the rapid “destruction” of the Islamic Republic. He also left open the possibility of negotiations, saying a deal to end the war would probably be reached after the US midterm elections in November.

Trump called Cuba a completely failed state and said his administration was working toward a “fundamental change” there. The Cuban delegation left the hall while he was speaking.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused Trump of spreading lies and wrote on X that Cuba had the right to remain a sovereign and independent country.

US, Denmark and Greenland sign agreement

Trump welcomed a new Greenland security agreement that, according to him, would allow the United States to build two military bases there. He said the deal would strengthen the defense of the American continent and Europe and reinforce NATO.

The United States, Denmark and Greenland held a joint signing ceremony at the UN after the speech. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which largely handles its foreign policy.

US administration officials have described the agreement as a way to improve American security at minimal cost. Denmark and Greenland hope it will end tensions that began after Trump threatened to seize the island by force.