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 said Ukraine could get back the original borders from where this war started with the support of Europe and NATO, due to pressures on Russia's economy.
His comments came after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, held after Trump addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to end the war, but has previously warned that the process would likely involve Ukraine giving up some territory, an outcome Zelensky has consistently rejected.
In his post, Trump added Ukraine could maybe even go further than that, but did not specify what he was referring to. He also made no reference to Crimea, which was invaded and annexed by Russia in 2014. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump stated his position had changed after getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia military and economic situation. He asserted, Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act, emphasizing the critical juncture Ukraine finds itself in.
Earlier on Tuesday, prior to his speech at the UN, Trump also suggested that NATO nations should shoot down Russian planes breaching their airspace. This was in response to increasing incidences involving Russian fighter jets and drones, as Estonia and Poland convened with other NATO members due to airspace violations.
Trump's Truth Social post represents a dramatic pivot after spending much of the year portraying Ukraine's condition as dire. In February, he expressed doubts on Ukraine's ability to prevail against a larger adversary.
This latest pronouncement may also reflect an attempt to redefine peace negotiations which have stagnated following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The most significant aspect of Trump’s post was his assurance that the US would continue to sell arms to NATO countries, which could then be passed to Ukraine. While not as unconditional as the support provided by the Biden administration, it marks a shift toward a more supportive stance.
