In a surprising shift of tone, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his belief that Ukraine could win back all of its original territory in the ongoing war with Russia.
This marks a significant departure from his earlier stance, where he had suggested Ukraine might need to make territorial concessions to end the conflict, per BBC News.
But Russia has not taken his recent comments too well.
Trump’s Optimistic View on Ukraine’s Victory
In a post on Truth Social, Trump confidently stated that Ukraine could "win all of Ukraine back in its original form" with the help of Europe and NATO.
He attributed this potential to the pressure mounting on Russia's economy, arguing that the ongoing war has left Russia in a precarious position.
“After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia military and economic situation and, after seeing the economic trouble it is causing Russia, 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,” Trump wrote.
He went on to say: “With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders from where this war started is very much an option. Why not?”
Trump also hinted that Ukraine could potentially go beyond these original borders, though he did not elaborate on what that might entail.
Russia Hits Back
In response to Trump's claims that Ukraine can win all of its territory back, a Kremlin spokesperson said the idea is "deeply mistaken", per Sky News.
The Kremlin added that they are not involved in "an aimless war" and that their relations with the U.S. are not improving as they would have hoped.
Russia’s Economic Troubles and Putin’s Struggles
Trump emphasized that the Russian military is struggling, calling Russia a "paper tiger" and pointing to the economic difficulties facing the country.
“Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act,” he said.
Trump’s statement is backed by the visible signs of economic strain in Russia, including long queues for petrol and a floundering economy.
The president’s assessment marks a shift toward optimism for Ukraine's chances, especially in light of Russia’s ongoing military struggles.
Zelensky’s Reaction to Trump’s Change in Position
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Trump’s new stance, calling it a "big shift" in his position.
Speaking to reporters at the UN, Zelensky expressed hope that this change could influence other international players, including China, to reassess their positions on the war.
He also highlighted that the U.S. seemed willing to provide Ukraine with security guarantees "after the war is finished," though specific details were still unclear, as reported by the Guardian.
Zelensky mentioned the possibility of further weapons, air defenses, and drones being supplied by NATO, which could bolster Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Zelensky also noted that Trump's post on Truth Social about Ukraine’s potential recovery had surprised him but called it a "positive signal" that the U.S. would remain supportive of Ukraine until the conflict is resolved.
He also suggested that Trump’s interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Trump has expressed skepticism about Putin’s truthfulness, may have influenced the shift in Trump’s stance.
NATO’s Role in the Conflict and Trump’s Calls for Action
During his UN speech, Trump made headlines with his strong remarks on NATO’s role in the war.
He suggested that NATO countries should be ready to shoot down Russian planes that breach their airspace, following recent incursions by Russian jets and drones.
“NATO has stepped up,” Trump said, referring to the alliance’s increased defense spending.
However, he later clarified that such actions should depend on the circumstances.
Trump’s comments came in response to Russia’s aggressive actions in NATO territories, including violations of airspace by Russian drones and jets.