Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed at the UN that ‘God saved’ Donald Trump from assassination. 

During the annual UN General Assembly in New York, Zelensky addressed Trump’s unexpected change in attitude regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the recent attempt on his life during a campaign event in Pennsylvania last July.

He said: ‘Excellencies, yesterday, President Trump stood right here in his hall, and God saved him from a murder attempt during the campaign. 

‘A shot was fired from a rifle and just half, just a fraction of an inch saved his life’.

Trump made a significant policy shift last night concerning the Russian conflict, asserting on Tuesday that Ukraine is now in a strong position to reclaim all its lost territories and possibly more.

This surprising turn of events comes a little over a month after the US president previously sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential peace plan that would have required Ukraine to surrender its land to the invading forces.

“Seeing the economic challenges Russia is facing, I believe Ukraine, backed by the European Union, is capable of reclaiming all of Ukraine in its historical form,” the president wrote on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon following his meetings at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“With time, patience, and financial aid from Europe, especially NATO, restoring the original borders from which this conflict began is entirely feasible.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) has claimed at the UN that ‘God saved’ Donald Trump from assassination

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska (R) listens while President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech during the General Debate at the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 24, 2025.

It comes after Trump’s other would-be assassin, Ryan Routh, began stabbing himself in the neck with a pen on Tuesday after being found guilty on all charges related to the September 2024 plot to kill the then-presidential candidate. 

The chaos unfolded in a Florida courtroom after jurors reached a unanimous verdict.

Routh, 59, was caught by authorities during a manhunt in Palm Beach last year after Secret Service agents spotted him in some bushes outside of one of Trump’s golf courses as the Republican played a round.

A gun and a camera were found at the scene where Routh fled.

After the verdict was read, Routh began jabbing at his neck with a pen.

His daughter, Sarah Ellen Routh, also reportedly began screaming expletives in the courtroom before crying and storming out of the building.

She was later filmed sobbing and running past cameras as she left. Routh’s son, Adam Routh, was also spotted leaving the courtroom after the guilty verdict.

Routh, of Hawaii, was found guilty of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, felony possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer. 

Routh faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. His sentencing is expected on December 18.

Trump congratulated Attorney General Pam Bondi and her department after the conviction.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024

‘The trial was meticulously handled, and I would like to thank the Judge and Jury for their time, professionalism, and patience,’ the president said in a statement.

‘This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him.’

Bondi said the verdict ‘illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence,’ in a post on X.

‘This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our president, but an affront to our very nation itself.’