Russia a ‘paper tiger’: How Trump changed his position on Ukraine, NATO

Russia a ‘paper tiger’: How Trump changed his position on Ukraine, NATO

In a dramatic change from his earlier claim that both sides will have to cede land to end the war, President Trump said on Tuesday that Ukraine can win back its territory that Russia has captured since the start of the conflict in Ukraine with the support of the European Union and NATO.

What Trump is currently saying and how his position has changed, let’s take a closer look.

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What has Trump said this week about Ukraine?

Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Trump said, “I think Ukraine is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form. ”

Trump even mentioned NATO, which he has frequently criticized in the past, saying that the original Borders, or NATO, which was supported by Europe and in particular NATO, are very much possible. ”

Russia, he claimed, has been engaged in “aimlessly” and resembles a “paper tiger,” was another target. A paper tiger is a person or thing that appears intimidating but is not particularly dangerous.

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which it called a “special military operation,” the conflict has raged there.

According to Trump, a “Real Military Power” would have needed less than a week to win the war.

Ukraine could regain its country in its original form, and who knows, it might even go further! Putin and Russia are currently facing serious economic difficulties, and Ukraine should act right away. ”

Trump ended his post by saying, “I wish both countries well in any case. NATO will continue to receive weapons from us so they can use them however they please. Good luck to everyone! ”

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to President Trump for his ongoing cooperation with the US in a post on X. Mr. President is well-versed in all aspects of this conflict and has a clear understanding of the situation. His resolve to end this war is highly valued by us. ”

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated on Wednesday that Russia would continue to pursue its war goals in Ukraine in order to protect our interests and advance objectives.

Peskov stated in an interview with RBC radio in Russia that “we are doing this for both our country’s future and the present.” for the future generations. We therefore have no choice. ”

What changes has Trump’s position on Ukraine brought about?

What Trump has said about Ukraine’s position in other statements this year:

You don’t have the cards, says the statement from February 2025.

Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, were criticized for not showing enough “gratitude” to the US for its assistance when the two leaders met at the Oval Office in February.

Trump also made the suggestion that Ukraine would have to renounce its territory if the conflict were to end. You must be thankful, he told Zelenskyy. The cards are not yours. You are buried there. Your people are euthanizing. You have a shortage of soldiers. ”

He claimed that Zelenskyy was given the power to be a “tough guy” by the US and that he was gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling on World War III.

In a social media post following the Oval Office meeting, Trump wrote, “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace.”

There will be land swapping in August 2025.

Then, on August 11, Trump stated that both Russia and Ukraine would have to cede territory in order for the war to end before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss it.

The US president claimed that his upcoming discussions with Putin in Alaska would be a “feel-out meeting” to find out whether he was ready to agree to a deal, something he claimed he would be able to find in two minutes.

Trump told reporters, “There will be some land swapping going on.” He claimed that Russia had seized some of Ukraine’s “very prime territory” and that it would “try to reclaim some of that territory.”

In the same day, Selenskyy claimed in an X post that it would be bad to give Russia land.

The Ukrainian president wrote, adding that “concessions do not persuade a killer” and that Russia does not deserve any rewards or benefits from stopping the killings. ”

In the end, Putin refused to abide by any kind of peace agreement as Trump had hoped.

(Al Jazeera)

What area of Ukraine has Russia seized?

Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia are the official territories of Russia’s annexation of four eastern and southern Ukrainian provinces during the war.

Eastern Ukraine’s Donestsk and Luhansk are collectively known as the “Donbass region.” Luhansk and a portion of Donetsk are under Russian rule. In Donetsk, Ukraine is in charge of the areas around Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, both of which are located nearby.

The Donbass region is a highly industrialized and agricultural hub. The port of Mariupol, which has access to the Black Sea, is also nearby.

About 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhia, both of which have a large nuclear power plant and steel-, aluminum, and other industrial areas, are produced there.

INTERACTIVE-WHO CONTROLS WHAT IN SOUTHERN UKRAINE-1758439104

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Trump’s position has changed, but why?

According to experts, Trump’s change of words might not correspond to a change in Washington’s strategy.

Some view his new position as a covert threat to re-engage Putin’s negotiations. Trump also appeared to be in favor of a robust NATO response when he spoke to reporters at the General Assembly in response to recent Russian drone incursions into NATO members’ airspace.

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

However, some people claimed that his remarks were likely to be less specific. Trump reflects the perspective of the very first person he has spoken to, according to Keir Giles, an expert on Eurasia at Chatham House in London.

When anyone who supports Russia’s outcomes for Europe next speaks to Trump, he will change his mind. ”

Giles claimed that Trump frequently uses terms interchangeably and changes his stance.

Source: Aljazeera

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