In a dramatic shift from his earlier calls for compromise, President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that he now believes Ukraine can reclaim every inch of territory lost to Russia, with the backing of NATO and European allies. The announcement came shortly after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump took to social media to outline his new stance, writing that with “time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO,” Ukraine could “WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.” The shift marks a significant departure from Trump’s past suggestions that Kyiv would need to surrender some land to secure peace—remarks that had unsettled Ukrainians and European partners who feared Washington’s commitment to sovereignty principles was wavering.
For Zelenskyy, Trump’s declaration was a major victory. Speaking to reporters after their meeting, the Ukrainian leader praised Trump’s evolving position. “Trump is a game changer by himself,” he said, stressing that U.S. pressure on Moscow remained critical.
Trump’s new tone stood in contrast to his earlier peace overtures, including a summit with Vladimir Putin last month where he had suggested “land swapping” as part of a potential resolution. Since then, Putin has intensified attacks and shown no interest in direct talks with Zelenskyy, leaving Trump to signal tougher measures, including additional sanctions and tariffs on Russia if diplomacy continues to fail.
At the General Assembly, Trump described Russia’s prolonged war as a humiliation, saying Moscow’s drawn-out campaign made it look like a “paper tiger” rather than a military superpower. He urged Europe to “step it up” by halting purchases of Russian oil and gas, which he called the lifeblood of Putin’s war machine. Zelenskyy echoed the call, adding that “Moscow fears America and always pays attention to it,” while urging stronger international action.
European allies are already preparing for new sanctions, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirming plans for expanded tariffs and a further reduction of Russian energy imports. NATO, too, is on alert after Estonia accused Russian jets of breaching its airspace, prompting consultations among alliance members. Trump said he would back NATO countries that chose to shoot down intruding Russian planes, though U.S. military involvement would depend on the situation.
Meanwhile, the war’s toll continues to rise. Russia claimed to have downed dozens of Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow, while Ukraine reported fresh Russian strikes that killed civilians. A new U.N. Human Rights Office report detailed systematic torture and abuse of Ukrainian civilians detained in occupied territories, underscoring the growing human cost of the war.
Trump’s reversal may provide renewed hope to Kyiv, but whether his tougher words translate into concrete policy remains to be seen. For now, Zelenskyy has secured what he long sought: an American president who says victory, not compromise, is possible.