In major shift, Trump says Kiev can win back 'all of Ukraine'
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The US president says Ukraine can reclaim all its territory from Russia, marking a sharp shift in stance after meeting with Zelensky at the UNGA.
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US President Donald Trump speaks to the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in New York (AP)
US President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory from Russia, and potentially more, in a striking reversal of his previous stance.
The comments came after Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
"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 his Truth Social platform. He dismissed Russia as a “paper tiger” and said Moscow was in “BIG economic trouble.”
From skepticism to support
The remarks mark a sharp pivot from Trump’s earlier skepticism. In February, during a tense Oval Office exchange, Trump told Zelensky that he did not “have the cards” to win.
Now, he argues that with NATO and EU backing, Ukraine can restore its original borders and perhaps go further. “With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders from where this war started is very much an option. Why not?” he wrote.
Zelensky thanked Trump for his “personal efforts to stop this war” and echoed his call for Europe to cut purchases of Russian oil.
Call for NATO to shoot down Russian jets
Trump also urged NATO countries to shoot down Russian aircraft if they violate allied airspace, following a string of alleged incursions recently. “Yes, I do,” he said when asked if NATO should act.
His remarks came after claims that Russian MiG-31 fighters breached Estonian airspace for 12 minutes on Friday, prompting NATO to scramble jets. Poland has also accused Moscow of repeated drone violations, both of which Moscow denied.
Germany reacted cautiously, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warning against falling into an “escalation trap". EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said she discussed the issue with Trump, agreeing on the need to cut Moscow’s energy revenues.
Trump’s ambiguous stance on Putin
Despite his tough rhetoric, Trump declined to say whether he still trusted Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling reporters, “I’ll let you know in about a month from now, okay?”
The 79-year-old Republican has repeatedly delayed decisions on potential new sanctions, setting self-imposed deadlines without follow-through.
For now, his shift in tone signals stronger support for Kiev as the war with Russia enters its fourth year, with tensions between Moscow and NATO at their highest since the Cold War.
