By Morgan Sweeney
The Center Square

In a fiery address to the U.N. General Assembly at its 80th session in New York City, President Donald Trump outlined his position and priorities on global issues, while warning Europe that many of its policies are ‘not sustainable.’

The president emphasized Western Europe’s immigration and energy policies as particularly dangerous to its survival.

On ‘uncontrolled migration’

Trump urged European leaders to tighten up their borders as the U.S. has done, or risk the extinction of their unique cultures. He also said the U.N. has created more problems for Western countries by supporting immigration policies that may not be in the best interests of individual countries.

“In America, we’ve taken bold action to swiftly shut down uncontrolled migration,” by detaining and deporting illegal aliens, Trump said. He added that this was a “humanitarian act for all involved” because of the deaths, sex trafficking and sexual assaults that occurred as a result of the mass immigration across the country’s southern border.

“The United Nations is funding an assault on Western countries and their borders. In 2024, the U.N. budgeted $372 million in cash assistance to support an estimated 624,000 migrants journey into the United States,” Trump said.

Trump cited statistics, attributing them to the Council of Europe, that nearly 50% of inmates in Germany, 53% in Austria, 54% in Greece, and 72% in Switzerland were foreign nationals or migrants.

“Europe is in serious trouble. They’ve been invaded by a force of illegal aliens like nobody’s ever seen before. Illegal aliens are pouring into Europe,” Trump said. “It’s not sustainable, and because they choose to be politically correct, they’re doing just absolutely nothing about it.”

“It’s time to end the failed experiment of open borders. You have to end it now,” Trump declared. “Your countries are going to hell.”

On green energy

Trump characterized renewable energy sources like solar panels and windmills as incredibly expensive forms of energy that don’t work. American energy is now thriving, he said, because the country has turned from its green energy policies back to stronger, cheaper sources of energy.

“Energy is another area where the United States is now thriving like never before. We’re getting rid of the falsely named renewables – by the way, they’re a joke, they don’t work, they’re too expensive, they’re not strong enough to fire up the plants that you need to make your country great,” he said.

Europe, if it didn’t take a page from America’s book on the energy issue, will continue to atrophy, according to Trump.

“Immigration and the high cost of so-called green renewable energy is destroying a large part of the free world and a large part of our planet,” Trump said. “You need strong borders and traditional energy sources if you’re going to be great again.”

“If you don’t get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail,” the president pronounced.

On a Palestinian state

The American president stressed that the Israel-Hamas war must be brought to an end and that for him, this would include a full and simultaneous release of all of Hamas’ hostages. He did not endorse – as more than 150 of the U.N.’s 193 member states have done – the creation of a Palestinian state.

“I have also been deeply engaged in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza. Have to get that done. Have to get it done. Unfortunately, Hamas has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace. We can’t forget October 7,” Trump said.

Trump said the recognition of a Palestinian state was effectively rewarding Hamas for its violence.

“This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7, even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept a cease fire.”

On Russia & Ukraine

The American president repeated his claim that the war between Russia and Ukraine would never have started under his watch. He also threatened to impose new tariffs again – though it’s not entirely clear on whom – if Russia “is not ready to make a deal to end the war.”

The president has several times threatened to impose tariffs on Russia if Russian president Vladimir Putin did not agree to a ceasefire by a proposed deadline, without following through.

He also blamed China and India for funding the war by purchasing Russian oil – but then, surprisingly, he said some NATO countries are doing the same thing.

“Inexcusably, even NATO countries have not cut off much Russian energy and Russian energy products,” Trump said, “which, as you know, I found out about two weeks ago, and I wasn’t happy. Think of it, they’re funding the war against themselves.”

He added that new tariffs would only be successful in ending the bloodshed if these NATO countries joined the U.S. in taking a hard line with the Russian Federation.

“European nations, all of you are gathered here right now, would have to join us in adopting the exact same measures,” Trump said. “Europe has to step it up. They can’t be doing what they’re doing. They’re buying oil and gas from Russia.”