In a remarkable about-face on the war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump declared that Kyiv has the capacity to reclaim all of its territory from Russia, with the backing of the European Union and NATO. This announcement came following a high-profile meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations.
Speaking on Truth Social, Donald Trump said, “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.” He added, “Maybe even go further than that!”—a vague but bold statement that raises questions about his future intentions or expectations regarding the conflict.
This sharp shift in rhetoric marks a significant departure from Trump’s earlier stance, where he repeatedly suggested Ukraine would need to cede land to Russia to achieve peace. The latest remarks suggest a more aggressive posture toward Moscow and an openness to supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity fully.
Donald Trump Declares Ukraine Can Win Back All Its Land
Until recently, Donald Trump had shown lukewarm support for Ukraine. During a widely reported Oval Office exchange in February, he told Zelensky bluntly, “You don’t have the cards” to defeat Russia. The comment drew criticism from both U.S. allies and American lawmakers, many of whom have emphasized the importance of standing firm against Russian aggression.
However, after months of intensifying Russian attacks and a failed diplomatic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, Trump’s attitude appears to have changed. “Unfortunately, that relationship didn’t mean anything,” he told reporters Tuesday, reflecting on his hopes for a personal rapport with Putin to resolve the conflict.
In his Truth Social post, Donald Trump elaborated on why he has changed his mind about the war. “After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia military and economic situation—and after seeing the economic trouble it is causing Russia—Putin and Russia are in BIG economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act,” he wrote.
He further described Russia as “fighting aimlessly” and called the country a “paper tiger” rather than the formidable nuclear force it once was. These comments underscore Trump’s belief that now is a strategic moment for Ukraine to launch a counter-offensive with the help of NATO and EU allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Trump’s new position with cautious optimism, calling it “a big shift.” The two leaders reportedly discussed Ukraine’s recent military gains against Russian forces, which Zelensky presented as evidence that Ukraine could achieve full victory.
At a press conference, Zelensky praised the new momentum. “This post of Trump is a big shift,” he said. “It could bring real change if it translates into concrete support.”
Donald Trump also addressed growing concerns about Russian incursions into NATO airspace. After repeated drone and aircraft violations of NATO countries—including Estonia and Poland—Zelensky urged NATO to take stronger action to deter future provocations.
Asked whether NATO nations should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace, Donald Trump responded directly: “Yes, I do.” This position, while aggressive, aligns with calls from several Eastern European NATO members to adopt a firmer stance against Russian military maneuvers.
Despite his calls for support, Trump again emphasized his long-standing position that NATO must shoulder more of the financial and logistical burden. “We will give NATO the weapons, and they can do what they want with them,” he said, signaling that while the U.S. remains supportive, it expects allies to lead the charge.
This statement, combined with his closing remark—“Good luck to all!”—raised eyebrows among European diplomats. Some interpret it as Trump distancing himself from the conflict, placing the onus squarely on NATO and the EU to act decisively.
While many welcome Donald Trump’s more assertive tone in support of Ukraine, some remain skeptical about the sincerity and sustainability of his position. Critics argue that his message may be more symbolic than strategic, possibly intended to criticize President Joe Biden’s handling of the war while positioning himself as a stronger leader on foreign policy.
Regardless of the motivation, Trump’s latest comments have reset the tone of the U.S. debate on Ukraine, and could influence future NATO decisions and congressional funding debates.
Source- EWN
