US President Donald Trump has reversed his previous position on the Ukraine conflict, stating that Kyiv could reclaim all its territory lost to Russia and restore its pre-war borders.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said this would be possible with the support of Europe and NATO, citing Russia’s worsening economic situation.
His comments came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, following Trump’s address at the United Nations General Assembly. Previously, Trump had suggested Ukraine might have to cede some territory, a stance Zelenskyy has consistently rejected.
Trump described Russia as a “paper tiger” facing “BIG economic trouble” and urged Ukraine to take advantage of the moment. He hinted Ukraine might achieve even more but did not clarify further, nor mention Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Zelenskyy welcomed the big shift in Trump’s views, suggesting that the U.S. might offer security guarantees after the war. He said more military aid could include weapons, air defences, and drones. Speaking on Fox News, Zelenskyy called Trump’s public endorsement a positive sign of ongoing U.S. support.
Earlier, Trump called on NATO countries to shoot down Russian planes violating their airspace, following recent incursions over Estonia, Poland, and Romania. NATO condemned these actions as reckless and pledged to use all necessary means to defend its members.
Trump praised NATO’s increased defence spending but criticised some members for continuing to buy Russian energy, accusing them of “funding a war against themselves.”
Throughout 2025, Trump’s stance on Ukraine has shifted from pessimism—warning Ukraine lacked the means to win—to this more supportive position. Reports suggested he once considered urging Zelenskyy to concede Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for a frozen front line. Despite threats, he has yet to impose tougher sanctions on Russia.
Trump’s unpredictability suggests this change may aim to revive stalled peace talks. He also promised continued U.S. arms sales to NATO allies for Ukraine, a commitment less extensive than President Biden’s but more than Trump had previously indicated.