Trump Reverses Course, Says Ukraine Can Regain All Lost Territory/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump now says Ukraine can reclaim all territory lost to Russia, marking a dramatic shift from his earlier stance advocating land concessions. In a social media post following a meeting with President Zelenskyy, Trump emphasized NATO and EU support as essential. The announcement aligns the U.S. position more closely with Ukraine’s own goal of restoring its original borders.
Trump Ukraine Support Reversal Quick Looks
- Shift in Stance: Trump now supports Ukraine reclaiming all lost territory.
- Backs NATO-EU Help: Trump says victory is possible with Western support.
- Zelenskyy Meeting: Support announced after UN General Assembly sideline meeting.
- Earlier Position: Trump previously advocated land concessions for peace.
- New Rhetoric: Trump calls Russian war efforts “aimless” and “embarrassing.”
- Military Aid Focus: Trump presses Europe to increase funding and oil embargoes.
- Putin Talks Stall: Planned Putin-Zelenskyy dialogue fails to materialize.
- UN Report Alleges Abuse: Russia accused of torturing detained Ukrainian civilians.
Deep Look: Trump Reverses Position, Says Ukraine Can Win Back All Territory with NATO Support
In a striking reversal of his previous stance, President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that Ukraine could fully reclaim all of its territory lost to Russia, provided it continues to receive support from NATO and the European Union. The statement, posted on social media, came just after his private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
“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,” Trump wrote. “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.”
A Strategic Shift After Months of Concessions Talk
Trump’s statement represents a significant policy pivot. Over the past year, he had frequently floated the idea of a negotiated peace that would likely involve Ukraine making territorial concessions—especially regarding the Donbas region and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. That stance had alarmed Ukraine, European leaders, and members of the U.S. Congress across party lines.
Now, Trump appears to align more closely with Zelenskyy’s goal of full territorial restoration, something Ukraine has consistently insisted upon since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Trump and Zelenskyy Signal Unity
“Trump is a game changer by himself,” Zelenskyy told reporters after their meeting, signaling optimism that renewed U.S. backing could tip the war’s momentum. The shift in tone follows months of diplomatic back-and-forth and a failed attempt to broker peace through direct engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During his address to the U.N. General Assembly, Trump openly criticized Russia’s military campaign as “aimless,” saying that a real power could have won the war in less than a week. “This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is making them look like a ‘paper tiger,’” Trump said, mocking the Kremlin’s perceived failure to subdue Ukraine quickly.
War Making Russia “Look Bad”
Trump painted the war as a humiliating episode for Moscow, stating it was originally framed by Russia as a “quick little skirmish” but has dragged into its fourth year. He linked the prolonged conflict to poor leadership, saying: “It shows you what bad leadership can do to a country.”
He added that with better planning and international resolve, Russia’s aggression could be stopped and reversed. “The only question now is how many lives will be needlessly lost on both sides,” Trump said.
Sanctions, Oil Embargoes, and NATO Involvement
Trump also indicated he is willing to support new economic sanctions against Russia, particularly if Moscow shows no interest in returning to peace talks. He called on NATO members and EU nations to “step it up” by halting imports of Russian oil and gas, which he said continues to fund Putin’s war machine.
Zelenskyy welcomed those comments, saying more aggressive action from Europe is needed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that view, announcing that the EU would impose new tariffs and further cut down on Russian energy imports.
Meanwhile, Trump said he would back NATO countries like Estonia if they chose to shoot down unauthorized Russian aircraft entering their airspace. However, he said any direct U.S. military involvement would depend on the situation.
Prior Peace Talks Now Dormant
Last month, Trump held separate meetings with both Putin and Zelenskyy in hopes of jumpstarting a peace process. During those sessions, Putin reiterated demands for Ukraine to cede control of Donetsk and Luhansk, a position rejected by Zelenskyy and most of Europe.
While Trump announced plans for a face-to-face dialogue between Putin and Zelenskyy, Russia has since escalated military action, showing no willingness to negotiate. According to European diplomats, those peace efforts are now effectively on hold.
Some of Trump’s Republican allies in Congress, along with European leaders, are urging him to adopt a more aggressive sanctions regime in response to Russia’s continued offensives.
“If Russia is not ready to make a deal to end the war,” Trump said, “then the United States is fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs, which would stop the bloodshed, I believe, very quickly.”
UN Reports Escalating Civilian Toll
As world leaders debated strategy at the U.N., the humanitarian toll of the war continues to mount. Russia reportedly shot down dozens of Ukrainian drones near Moscow, while Ukraine said Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least two civilians on Tuesday alone.
The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights revealed that Ukrainian civilian casualties rose by 40% in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the previous year. The increase is attributed to intensified long-range missile strikes and localized drone attacks.
A separate U.N. Human Rights Office report released Tuesday accused Russian forces of systematic abuse in areas under their control. The report claims torture, sexual violence, and ill-treatment are being inflicted on detained civilians in occupied Ukrainian territories.
“Russian authorities have subjected Ukrainian civilian detainees in occupied territory to torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, in a widespread and systematic manner,” the report stated.
International Community Reacts
European leaders praised Trump’s updated position. French President Emmanuel Macron said he welcomed the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine’s full victory, warning that the conflict risks spreading beyond Ukraine’s borders.
“NATO is watching closely,” Macron said, adding that recent airspace violations by Russia have prompted calls for formal NATO consultations.
Back at the U.N., Russia attempted to downplay the summit, with Deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy dismissing it as “just another performance” by Zelenskyy, whom he referred to as a “former actor.”
“There is no added value for the establishment of peace in Ukraine generated from today’s meeting,” Polyanskiy said, accusing Western powers of hypocrisy.
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