Trump Reverses Course on Ukraine
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made a surprising change to his Ukraine policy, declaring that Ukraine can win back all of its original territory. He said this victory could be achieved with the support of NATO and the European Union.
The announcement came on Tuesday after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In a Truth Social post, Trump described Russia as a “paper tiger” and claimed the war should have been over long ago if Moscow had real military strength.
This statement represents a sharp turnaround from Trump’s earlier position. Only weeks ago, he had spoken about Ukraine possibly giving up some land to Russia in order to achieve peace. Back in August, Trump reposted a message saying “Ukraine must be willing to lose some territory to Russia.” That position had sparked criticism from many leaders who argued that any land-for-peace deal would reward aggression.
Trump’s view seems to have shifted after his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August failed to produce progress. The summit, planned for six hours, ended in less than four. No agreements were reached, and Putin showed no interest in Trump’s push for direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv. Trump later admitted he believed ending the war “was going to be the easiest one” because of his personal ties with Putin, but those ties “didn’t mean anything” once negotiations began.
Now, Trump says Ukraine, backed by Europe and NATO, can reclaim its full territory. He even suggested that Kyiv might go further if momentum continues, signaling stronger confidence in Ukraine’s ability to push back Russian forces.
Meeting with Zelensky and International Response
During their UN meeting, Trump and Zelensky greeted each other warmly, which was a clear contrast to their earlier tense interactions. Trump praised Ukraine’s resistance, saying, “We have great respect for the fight that Ukraine is putting up. It’s pretty amazing actually.”
Zelensky welcomed Trump’s comments and thanked him for his efforts to keep global attention on the war. He also shared battlefield updates, claiming that Ukrainian forces had advanced 360 kilometers in recent weeks. For Kyiv, Trump’s new position is an important show of support, as Zelensky has consistently rejected any territorial concessions to Russia.
Trump also went further in his remarks, urging NATO members to take stronger action against Moscow. He said alliance countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter NATO airspace, referring to recent incidents involving Russian jets in the Baltics. Such comments add pressure on NATO while also signaling a tougher stance toward Russia.
International reaction to Trump’s reversal has been mixed. Some European officials welcomed the change, saying it sends a strong message of unity with Ukraine. Others, however, remain cautious, noting Trump’s history of sudden policy shifts and unpredictability. Analysts suggest that if Trump continues to align more closely with NATO and the European Union on Ukraine, it could strengthen Kyiv’s position but also complicate future negotiations.
For Russia, Trump’s statement is another sign that global patience is wearing thin. While Moscow has not officially responded to the remarks, the change in tone from a figure who once pushed for concessions could further isolate the Kremlin.
The situation also highlights the broader challenge of energy and resources. Ukraine’s push to reclaim occupied land requires significant military and financial support. Trump’s call for full territorial recovery raises expectations that Western allies will maintain or even increase assistance to Kyiv in the months ahead.