U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he now believes Ukraine can win back all the land it has lost to Russia. This is a big change from his earlier comments suggesting Ukraine should give up some territory to make peace.
Trump shared his new view in a post on Truth Social soon after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, 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 Truth Social. Trump wrote. “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 also said Russia has been “fighting aimlessly” and called it “a paper tiger,” suggesting Moscow is weaker than many thought. Trump argued that Russia’s economy is in serious trouble and said, “This is the time for Ukraine to act.”
Trump added that the U.S. would keep supplying weapons to NATO for its members to use. “Good luck to all!” he wrote.
Zelenskyy is in New York to keep world leaders focused on economic and military pressure against Russia. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney co-hosted a UN event with Zelenskyy about the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia.
It’s not clear if Trump is dropping his earlier plans to push for a peace deal between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last month, Trump suggested Ukraine might have to trade land for peace after a possible future meeting between the two leaders. But Putin has shown little interest in talks and has increased attacks on Ukraine.
Trump’s new comments also go against the views of some Republicans and U.S. officials, like Vice President JD Vance, who think the U.S. should step back from the war and encourage Ukraine to compromise.
Speaking to the UN earlier Tuesday, Trump said Russia’s struggles in Ukraine “show what bad leadership can do to a country.” He also warned that “many lives will be needlessly lost on both sides” if the war continues.
Trump said the “biggest progress” toward ending the war is that Russia’s economy is “terrible right now.” Reports from think tanks and Russian media show that some Russian defense companies are struggling to expand production and hire workers, even as Moscow invests heavily in drone warfare.
At the UN, Carney condemned Russia for abducting Ukrainian children and using them in military programs. Drones have caused deadly strikes on Ukrainian cities, and the UN says civilian casualties from drones are up 40% this year compared to 2024.
Trump also said the U.S. would add new sanctions against Russia—but only if European countries fully cut off Russian oil and gas. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU members are planning new sanctions and energy bans by the end of the year.
At his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump said he would reveal more about his position on Putin “in about a month.” Zelenskyy agreed with Trump that Europe should tighten sanctions and stop buying Russian energy.
