US President Donald Trump has asserted that Kyiv can win all of Ukraine back in its original form, highlighting a notable shift in his position regarding the war with Russia. His statements were made in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he noted that Ukraine could reclaim the original borders from where this war started with the backing of Europe and NATO, deciphering pressures on Russia's economy as a pivotal factor.
Trump’s comments followed meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after which Trump expressed newfound optimism about Ukraine's military and economic conditions. Historically, Trump had warned that negotiations might require Ukraine to concede territory, a notion Zelensky has firmly resisted.
In his recent post, Trump suggested there might be opportunities for Ukraine to go beyond merely reclaiming its original borders, although he refrained from mentioning the annexed Crimea. His remarks elicited a critical response from the Kremlin, which interpreted his change of stance as influenced by his discussions with Zelensky.
Ukrainian President Zelensky hailed Trump's comments as a big shift that indicates a willingness from the U.S. to provide security guarantees following the war. He pointed out that he interprets Trump's remarks as a positive signal of continued support for Ukraine.
The backdrop to this discussion includes several high-stakes moments, including Trump’s earlier propositions for the NATO alliance to take military actions against Russian incursions and ongoing dialogues surrounding the European Union's sanctions against Russian energy.
This post marks a significant departure from Trump’s earlier statements this year, where he expressed skepticism about Ukraine's capability to reclaim territory, making this latest comment a surprising yet potentially pivotal moment in the shifting landscape of international support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.