UNITED NATIONS — President Trump said Tuesday that NATO members should shoot down Russian jets if they enter an alliance member’s airspace while fighting the war against Ukraine.

Mr Trump’s remarks came during a meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

“Yes, I do,” Mr. Trump said when asked if NATO countries should respond with such force. 

Asked if the U.S. would back up NATO allies who shoot down Russian jets, Mr. Trump said it “depends.” He did not elaborate.

Article 5 of NATO’s charter requires all 32 members to come the aid of any member attacked by a hostile adversary. 

Earlier this week, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson said his nation “will defend its airspace” if Russian jets violate it. 

Sweden joined NATO last year as part of an expansion of the alliance in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Russia has been accused of breaching the airspace of NATO’s eastern flank members, Poland and Romania, with drones, and Estonia with fighter jets.

Mr. Trump deferred questions about whether he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, “I’ll let you know in a month.”

The president praised Mr. Zelenskyy as “a brave man” who is “putting up one hell of a fight.”

Mr. Zelenskyy thanked Mr. Trump for his efforts to end the war. 

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.