Trump Signals Major Shift on Ukraine War, Says Kyiv Can Win Back Its Borders
NEW YORK — US President Donald Trump has made a surprising change in his stance on the war in Ukraine, declaring that Kyiv has the potential to reclaim all of its territory “in its original form” with support from Europe and NATO.
Posting on his Truth Social platform after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump said Ukraine could recover “the original borders from where this war started,” citing the mounting economic pressure on Russia.
Trump, who has previously suggested that peace talks might require Ukraine to give up some land, added that Kyiv could “maybe even go further than that,” though he did not elaborate. Notably, he made no mention of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 before launching its full-scale invasion in 2022.
The US president explained his changed view came “after getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia military and economic situation.” He described Russia as a “paper tiger,” warning that its economic troubles present Ukraine with an opportunity to act.
Russia Pushes Back on Trump’s Remarks
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Trump’s comments, insisting Russia “is in no way a tiger” but more like a bear, adding “there is no such thing as a paper bear.” However, he noted that President Vladimir Putin “values the US president’s efforts to seek a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.”
Zelensky Welcomes Trump’s “Big Shift”
Speaking to reporters at the UN, President Zelensky welcomed what he called a “big shift” in Trump’s position. He suggested the US may be prepared to offer Ukraine security guarantees after the war, though he acknowledged there were no specific details yet.
“We don’t have everything on paper, but it could mean more weapons, air defenses, and drones,” Zelensky said. In a later Fox News interview, he called Trump’s remarks a “positive signal” that Washington would back Ukraine “to the end of the war.”
He also noted that Trump may have grown more cautious of Moscow after being “lied to many times” by Putin.
NATO Tensions Rise Over Russian Airspace Incursions
Trump’s comments coincided with NATO raising the alarm over repeated violations of allied airspace by Russian fighter jets and drones. Earlier Tuesday, Trump said NATO countries should be ready to shoot down Russian aircraft that cross their borders.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski quickly endorsed the idea with a post on social media: “Roger that.”
In recent weeks, Estonia, Poland, and Romania have all reported Russian airspace violations. NATO issued a firm statement condemning Moscow’s “escalatory and irresponsible” actions, warning it would defend member states with “all necessary tools.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed: “We are a defensive alliance, yes, but we are not naive. We see what is happening.”
Polish President Karol Nawrocki added that Central and Eastern Europe would “not be scared of Russian drones” and was ready to defend its borders.
Russia denied violating Estonian airspace and called the Polish incident accidental, while declining to comment on Romania’s claims.
Trump: NATO “Stepping Up”
When asked if the US would back NATO members if they downed Russian aircraft, Trump said it “depends on the circumstance,” but praised the alliance for committing to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
In his UN speech earlier, Trump criticized European countries for continuing to buy Russian energy, saying they were “funding a war against themselves.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by reaffirming that the EU would end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027.
From Caution to Commitment
Trump’s latest comments mark a dramatic reversal. Earlier this year, he had told Zelensky that Ukraine “did not have the cards” to beat Russia in a drawn-out war. Before meeting Putin in Alaska in August, Trump even floated the idea of Ukraine giving up Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for a ceasefire — a plan strongly rejected by Kyiv.
Despite his frequent threats to impose tougher penalties on Moscow, Trump has so far avoided concrete measures when Russia ignored his warnings. His unpredictability has long shaped his foreign policy, leaving analysts divided on whether his latest remarks represent a genuine strategy or another negotiation tactic.
Still, Trump’s closing words on Truth Social were clear: the US would continue selling arms to NATO, which could then transfer them to Ukraine. While not the open-ended support offered by the Biden administration, the statement signaled Washington’s commitment to keeping Kyiv in the fight.