US President Donald Trump has said Kyiv can win all of Ukraine back in its original form, marking a major shift in his position on the war with Russia.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, he claimed Ukraine could regain the original borders from where this war started with Europe's and NATO's support, citing pressures on Russia's economy.
His comments followed discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Previously, Trump had warned that achieving peace would likely require Ukraine to concede territory—something Zelensky has consistently rejected.
In his recent post, Trump suggested Ukraine could potentially expand its claims but did not elaborate. Notably, he omitted any mention of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, or the ongoing conflict that escalated in 2022.
Trump attributed his change in viewpoint to a better understanding of the Ukraine-Russia military and economic dynamics, declaring, Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.
Earlier that day, Trump discussed NATO's need to respond to Russian aircraft violations, calling for decisive action amidst rising tensions in the region.
His remarks come as NATO experiences strained communications regarding airspace violations by Russian military assets, with nations like Estonia and Poland seeking consultations over recent incursions.
Trump's post represents a notable change in tone, as it follows a year of downplaying Ukraine's military prospects. Historically, he has hinted at possible land exchanges as part of negotiations with Russia.
The shift in messaging raises questions about the future of US foreign policy towards NATO and Ukraine, especially as Trump pledged continued military support to NATO forces assisting Ukraine.
