US President Donald Trump has made a striking reversal in his position on the war in Ukraine, declaring that Kyiv could “win all of Ukraine back in its original form.” His comments, made on Truth Social after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, mark a major policy shift after months of hinting that Ukraine would need to cede territory to Russia in pursuit of peace.
Trump, who addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday before his bilateral talks with Zelensky, suggested that Russia’s economy was faltering under the weight of sanctions, leaving Moscow vulnerable. “Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act,” Trump wrote, describing Russia as a “paper tiger.”
He added that Ukraine might even “go further” than reclaiming its pre-war borders, though he offered no clarification on what that would entail.
The statement drew swift responses. Zelensky welcomed the “big shift,” calling it a positive signal that the United States would remain firmly on Ukraine’s side. Speaking to reporters at the UN, the Ukrainian leader suggested Washington might be open to providing new security guarantees, including advanced air defenses, drones, and weapons once the conflict ends. “I don’t want to lie, we don’t have specific details,” Zelensky admitted, but emphasized the importance of continued US and NATO backing.
Moscow, however, dismissed Trump’s remarks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov countered that Russia was not a “paper tiger,” but a “bear,” rejecting any suggestion that economic pressure would undermine the country’s resilience. Nevertheless, Peskov acknowledged that President Vladimir Putin valued Trump’s efforts to seek a resolution to the conflict.
Trump’s announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and NATO. In recent weeks, Russian fighter jets and drones have violated the airspace of Poland, Estonia, and Romania, prompting NATO condemnation.
After his UN speech, Trump urged alliance members to shoot down intruding Russian aircraft. Poland’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski quickly responded with approval: “Roger that.”
NATO leaders issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, warning Russia that such actions risk dangerous miscalculations. Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance remained defensive but would not ignore Moscow’s provocations.
Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, echoed the sentiment, vowing his country would defend its skies and “not be scared of Russian drones.”
The shift in Trump’s stance is significant given his history of skepticism about long-term US involvement in the war. Earlier this year, he suggested Ukraine had “no cards” in a war of attrition and even hinted at land concessions in Donetsk and Luhansk. Now, however, he is presenting Russia as weakened and Ukraine as capable of full restoration.
While Trump stopped short of offering an open-ended commitment to fund Ukraine, his remarks suggested Washington would continue supplying arms to NATO partners that could then be transferred to Kyiv.
For Zelensky, the change represents a much-needed boost in morale and signals potential alignment between US leadership and Ukraine’s determination to fight until its sovereignty is fully restored.