In a significant development regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has publicly stated that Kyiv can reclaim its original borders, marking a notable change in his approach to the war with Russia. This revelation came through a post on his Truth Social platform, where he expressed confidence that Ukraine, with the backing of Europe and NATO, could regain the territory lost since the onset of the conflict.
This statement follows recent discussions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which occurred after Trump addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Although Trump has consistently advocated for an end to the war, he had previously indicated that such a resolution might necessitate Ukraine conceding some territory—an idea Zelensky has firmly opposed.
In his recent social media post, Trump suggested that Ukraine might even expand beyond its original borders, although he did not elaborate on this point. Notably, he refrained from mentioning Crimea, a region that has been under Russian control since its annexation in 2014. Reflecting on the evolving military and economic landscape, Trump asserted that "Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble," implying that the current moment presents a unique opportunity for Ukraine to act decisively.
President Zelensky responded positively to Trump's shift in tone, indicating that he perceives a readiness from the US to provide Ukraine with security guarantees once the conflict concludes. When pressed for specifics, Zelensky acknowledged the absence of concrete details but hinted at the potential for increased military support, including weapons, air defense systems, and drones.
Earlier in the day, following his UN speech, Trump urged NATO nations to take a more aggressive stance against Russian aerial violations. He suggested that NATO member states should be prepared to intercept Russian planes that breach their airspace. This call for action comes in response to recent incidents involving Russian fighter jets and drones violating the airspace of several NATO countries, including Estonia and Poland.
In light of these developments, Estonia and Poland have sought consultations with other NATO members regarding the airspace violations. Romania also reported similar breaches by Russian drones. While Russia denied violating Estonia’s airspace, it claimed that the incursions into Poland were unintentional and did not address the situation concerning Romania.
When asked about US support for NATO allies in the event they engage Russian aircraft, Trump responded that such support would depend on the circumstances. He praised NATO for its commitment to increasing defense spending, highlighting an agreement among leaders to elevate military expenditures to 5% of their countries' economic output by 2035.
Trump's latest comments represent a stark contrast to his earlier assertions throughout the year, where he portrayed Ukraine's situation as dire. In February, during a heated conversation with Zelensky, Trump indicated that Ukraine lacked the resources to prevail against a larger nation in a protracted conflict. Moreover, prior to his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last August, he suggested that territorial concessions might be necessary for peace.
Despite his earlier threats to enforce stricter measures against Russia, Trump has yet to follow through with any significant actions in response to Russian provocations. This unpredictability has characterized Trump’s foreign policy, and his recent statements may be a strategic move to revitalize stalled peace negotiations following his summit with Putin.
One of the most significant aspects of Trump's recent post was his commitment to continue supplying arms to NATO, which could subsequently be transferred to Ukraine. While this does not reflect the open-ended military support that the Biden administration has provided, it does indicate a willingness on Trump's part to engage more actively in supporting Ukraine's defense efforts.
