U.S. President Donald Trump made a significant announcement on Tuesday, stating that Ukraine has the capability to reclaim all territories lost to Russia. This marks a notable shift from his previous stance, where he urged Kyiv to consider concessions to bring an end to the conflict.
Following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the United Nations General Assembly, Trump took to social media to express his viewpoint. He emphasized that Ukraine, supported by the European Union, has the potential to recapture its original borders with the backing of Europe and NATO.
Zelenskyy had been urging Trump to show stronger support for Ukraine’s defense efforts, including imposing stricter sanctions on Russia. Trump’s warm reception of Russian President Vladimir Putin in August had raised concerns among Ukrainians, who believe that Moscow will only cease hostilities under substantial external pressure.
Prior to their meeting, Trump had suggested that Ukraine should be open to conceding some territory to Russia for a peace agreement. However, in his recent statement, Trump criticized Russia’s military actions, describing them as directionless and indicative of a lack of genuine military prowess.
While Trump has not implemented harsher sanctions, he hinted at potential escalated measures by highlighting Russia’s economic challenges and signaling a crucial moment for Ukraine to take action. During their discussions at the UN, Zelenskyy sought additional U.S. assistance in defending against Russia’s military assaults, to which Trump affirmed ongoing weapon supplies to NATO allies.
In a supportive tone, Trump acknowledged Ukraine’s resilience in the conflict, while Zelenskyy shared positive updates from the battlefield. The two leaders, despite previous tensions, greeted each other warmly during their interaction.
Addressing the General Assembly, Trump criticized Russia for the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, attributing it to poor leadership and emphasizing the tragic loss of lives. With Ukraine’s forces under pressure after years of combat, Zelenskyy engaged with world leaders in New York and was scheduled to address a special UN Security Council session on Ukraine.
Efforts to broker peace by Trump following his return to office earlier this year have appeared stalled, prompting calls from European leaders and U.S. lawmakers, including some from Trump’s own party, for firmer actions against Russia. Trump advocated for imposing potent tariffs to swiftly halt the bloodshed and urged Europe to cease purchasing Russian oil, a crucial resource for Putin’s military operations.
Before meeting Zelenskyy, Trump held discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who confirmed plans for additional sanctions on Russia and reduced energy imports from the country. European leaders have backed Zelenskyy’s diplomatic initiatives, expressing concerns over potential escalations beyond Ukraine due to Russian provocations.
NATO allies responded to recent airspace violations by Russian jets, with Estonia requesting formal consultations. Trump affirmed support for NATO countries in intercepting unauthorized Russian aircraft but noted that direct U.S. involvement would be contingent on specific circumstances.
