SAEDNEWS: In a surprising policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukraine could regain all its territory from Russia with NATO and EU support, calling Moscow a “paper tiger” in economic and military decline. His comments mark a dramatic reversal from earlier positions urging Kyiv to cede land for peace.
According to Saed News; In a move that stunned diplomats at the United Nations General Assembly this week, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Ukraine could recover all the land Russia has seized since its invasion began in February 2022. Just months ago, Trump had suggested that Kyiv and Moscow might need to make territorial concessions to achieve peace. His new position — expressed both in meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and in a fiery Truth Social post — signals a striking turnaround in U.S. policy and could reshape the trajectory of the war.
Trump’s remarks followed a private meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UNGA.
“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,” he wrote.
The statement immediately reverberated through diplomatic circles. For the first time, the U.S. president openly endorsed the possibility of Ukraine reclaiming nearly 20 percent of its territory, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, and even Crimea.
Trump, often accused of cozying up to Russia, went further — branding Moscow a “paper tiger” and suggesting that a truly powerful military would have already won the war in “less than a week.”
For months, Washington’s signals were mixed. Trump initially criticized his predecessor Joe Biden’s approach, vowed to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, and even hinted that Ukraine itself bore responsibility for prolonging the conflict. At one point, he insisted that compromise — giving up land — was the only path forward.
Now, however, his rhetoric has flipped. According to analysts, this change could:
Boost Ukrainian morale by aligning the U.S. position with Kyiv’s long-standing demand: the full restoration of its borders.
Pressure Moscow as sanctions and battlefield losses mount, while Trump publicly calls Russia economically and militarily fragile.
Reassure NATO allies that the U.S. under Trump is committed to European security, despite his earlier skepticism about alliance commitments.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warmly welcomed Trump’s words.
“President Trump is ready to give Ukraine security guarantees after this war finishes,” he told reporters. “He could be a game-changer for Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy has long argued that no deal is possible unless Russia withdraws entirely. Having Washington echo that position, after months of uncertainty, represents a significant diplomatic win for Kyiv.
At UN headquarters, European ministers and diplomats were reportedly “stunned” when Trump’s post went live. Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor James Bays noted:
“We seem to have a complete change in the U.S. position here… Now there is talk about a military option where potentially Ukraine can take back all of its territorial area and win the war.”
While surprised, most European leaders welcomed the shift. For them, a stronger U.S. stance signals renewed alignment on Ukraine at a time when Russia’s aerial incursions into NATO airspace — including Estonia and Poland — have raised regional tensions.
Trump’s backing of Ukraine came with a pointed message about NATO. Asked if the alliance should shoot down Russian aircraft violating European airspace, he answered: “Yes, I do.”
The response underscores a more aggressive NATO posture and raises the stakes in an already volatile conflict. NATO has condemned Russia’s “irresponsible behavior” after repeated incursions, warning it would use “all necessary tools” to defend its members.
Trump’s characterization of Russia as a weakened power adds to the humiliation Moscow faces on the international stage. Calling Russia “in BIG economic trouble,” he urged Ukraine to seize the moment.
But experts caution that dismissing Russia as weak could be dangerous. Moscow still holds significant military resources and nuclear weapons. The Kremlin, which considers Crimea non-negotiable, has shown no willingness to back down.
Only weeks ago, Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin ended in failure. At that time, Trump hinted that Russia had disappointed him, but he stopped short of calling for Ukraine’s total victory. His frustration since then appears to have hardened into a more combative stance.
This evolution suggests a political calculation: by shifting toward Ukraine, Trump not only pleases European allies but also distances himself from accusations of being too soft on Putin.
Beyond Ukraine, Trump also signaled a tougher line on NATO’s role in deterring Russian aggression. He argued that Russia’s war exposed vulnerabilities and that Europe must be prepared for further escalations.
Yet his exact plans remain vague. When asked whether Putin was still a reliable negotiating partner, Trump brushed off the question: “I’ll let you know in about a month from now, OK?”
