Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared that Ukraine could reclaim all territory lost to Russia, marking a major reversal from his earlier calls for Kyiv to cede land in pursuit of peace.
“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,” Trump wrote on social media after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump added that with time, patience, and NATO’s financial support, restoring Ukraine’s pre-war borders was “very much an option.” The shift comes only weeks after he had insisted Ukraine would never recover territory, including Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Zelenskyy welcomed the new position, calling Trump “a game changer by himself.” In his UN address, Trump mocked Russia’s faltering campaign, describing Moscow as “a paper tiger” and warning that sanctions and tariffs may be the only way to force President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict.
The turnaround follows rising European concerns after Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace last week. Trump said he would back NATO allies defending themselves against such provocations, while leaving open the extent of U.S. involvement.
The UN Human Rights Office reported Tuesday that civilian casualties in Ukraine rose 40% in the first eight months of 2025 compared to last year, accusing Russia of systematic torture in occupied areas. French President Emmanuel Macron praised Trump’s new stance, saying it showed confidence in Ukraine’s ability not only to resist but to prevail.
