In major shift, Trump says Ukraine can win back all territory from Russia

In a dramatic change to his approach to Ukraine, Donald Trump says he thinks that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union and NATO, will be able to reclaim all of the territory that Russia has taken since its invasion more than three years ago.

After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform that “with time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, are very much an option.”

On the United Nations General Assembly’s agenda, they spoke. Prior to this, he had previously stated that Moscow and Kyiv would need to renounce land. Trump’s proposal of a territorial compromise to achieve peace has drawn opposition from Selenskyy and his European allies.

Trump criticized Russia’s handling of the conflict in the post, claiming that it had been fighting “aimlessly” in a conflict that a “real military power” would have won “less than a week.”

Trump also referred to Russia as a “paper tiger,” and stated that Ukraine should act now that Putin and Russia are in “big economic trouble.”

Since its February 2022 invasion, Russia has seized nearly 20% of Ukraine. In 2014, Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine, but it still views it as outside the scope of its invasion.

The US president has previously shown lukewarm support for Zelenskyy, who he had a televised Oval Office breakup in February with whom he told the Ukrainian, “you don’t have the cards,” to get a good outcome from Russia.

Trump, however, stated at their Tuesday meeting that he had “great respect for the fight Ukraine is initiating.” Actually, it’s pretty amazing.

Trump might have a “game-changing” impact.

Zelenskyy thanked Trump for making “personal efforts to end this war.”

After their meeting, the Ukrainian president stated that once the war is over, Trump would be willing to offer Ukraine security guarantees. He also mentioned that Trump might have the potential to “change the game” for Ukraine.

Kyiv’s membership in NATO was initially rejected by the Trump administration, who had requested that European leaders increase their military support for the country.

After the end of the war, Zelenskyy told reporters, “We all know that President Trump is ready to give Ukraine security guarantees,” Zelenskyy said.

Since taking office in January, Trump has made an effort to end the conflict. He had previously been critical of Joe Biden’s policy toward Ukraine. He had promised to put an end to the war within his first 24 hours of taking the oath of office during his campaign. He initially attributed the war to Ukraine, but he now feels let down by the Russian leader after his summit with Putin in Alaska failed to progress.

According to James Bays, a diplomat for the UN, James Bays said Trump’s appointment represents a significant change in the US position because Zelenskyy has requested that Ukraine reclaim all of its territory from the beginning, which Trump had previously denied was possible.

“The US position here seems to have completely changed. Trump and Putin were discussing some sort of peace deal at the time of our large summit in Alaska. He said that there is currently discussion about a military option where Ukraine might be able to retake control of all of its territorial waters and triumph in the conflict.

Many European foreign ministers and diplomats were surprised and unaware that a change in US policy toward Ukraine was coming, but they have welcomed it, according to Bays.

Trump spoke to reporters at the General Assembly, and besides speaking out against a robust NATO response to any upcoming incursions.

When asked if he thought NATO nations should shoot down Russian aircraft that enter their airspace, he responded, “Yes, I do.”

Trump, however, dodged questions about whether or not he thought Putin could be a trustworthy negotiating partner in the face of continued Russian aggression against Ukraine.

“OK, I’ll let you know in about a month”? Trump responded when questioned about his faith in Putin.

The 79-year-old Republican has previously and repeatedly set two-week decision-making deadlines, including sanctions, for new measures against Russia.

Recent aerial violations have caused an increase in tensions between Russia and Europe due to Ukraine.

After three Russian MiG-31 fighters flew into Estonian airspace on Friday for 12 minutes, Estonia requested a UN Security Council meeting and discussions with NATO allies.

Russian drones repeatedly violated its airspace during an attack on Ukraine, which Poland, a fellow NATO member, called an “act of aggression.” Warsaw described the incident as an “act of aggression.”

Source: Aljazeera