Trump Signals Dramatic Shift: Says Ukraine Can Reclaim All Territories Seized by Russia

ByEditor

Sep 24, 2025 #NATO, #Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal, #Russia-Ukraine War, #Trump Dramatic Shift on Ukraine, #Ukraine's Territories Seized by Russia, #Ukraine’s European Allies

Femi Ashekun/

U.S. President, Donald Trump, has declared that Ukraine can win back all the territory seized by Russia, a striking reversal from his earlier suggestions that Kyiv might need to concede land to end the war.

The president made the remarks on Tuesday following a meeting with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump said, “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. 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 described Russia as a “paper tiger,” argued that its economy was faltering, and questioned the purpose of its war effort.

The statement marks a dramatic shift in tone. Trump had previously suggested that both Ukraine and Russia might need to make concessions, hinting at possible land swaps to bring about peace.

His new position aligns more closely with Kyiv’s maximalist demand that all Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea, must be restored under Ukrainian control.

President Zelenskyy, asked about the change, admitted he was “a little bit surprised” by Trump’s remarks.

The U.S. leader did not indicate that American troops would take a direct combat role but emphasised that NATO and European nations should provide stronger backing.

Reports also suggested he encouraged allies to consider more assertive steps, such as intercepting Russian aircraft that violate NATO airspace.

The shift comes just weeks after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which drew scrutiny from critics who accused him of being too accommodating to Moscow.

By signalling confidence in Ukraine’s ability to reclaim all lost territory, Trump has now recalibrated Washington’s stance in a way that could reshape expectations on the battlefield and in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Whether this rhetorical pivot translates into concrete policy or additional U.S. funding remains unclear, but it sends a powerful signal to allies and adversaries alike.

For Kyiv, the endorsement of full territorial restoration from the American president is both a morale boost and a potential lever in securing greater international support.

For Moscow, it underscores that the United States now publicly backs Ukraine’s most ambitious war aim, setting the stage for further geopolitical friction.