US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory under Russian occupation. His comments came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Trump Calls Russia a “Paper Tiger”

In a social media post following the meeting, Trump described Russia as a “paper tiger.” He said Ukraine could achieve victory with “time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO.”

He also urged NATO countries to shoot down Russian aircraft if they violated their airspace. However, he clarified that US involvement in such actions would depend on specific circumstances.

Standing alongside Zelenskyy, Trump praised the Ukrainian leader’s courage, saying, “We have great respect for the fight that Ukraine is putting up. It’s pretty amazing, actually.” He also called Zelenskyy a “brave man” and expressed his admiration for Ukraine’s resistance.

A Major Policy Reversal

Until now, Trump and his top advisers had insisted that Ukraine would never fully regain its pre-war borders. They suggested that Kyiv would have to cede some territory to reach a peace agreement, proposing to freeze battle lines as they were.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, had demanded control over all four provinces he claims as Russian territory, not just the areas currently under Moscow’s occupation.

Trump’s latest comments mark a dramatic departure from his previous stance. In his post on Truth Social, he said that after understanding the military and economic situation more deeply, he now believes Ukraine can “win all of Ukraine back and restore pre-2022 borders” with strong European support.

He also claimed that Russia’s economy is collapsing, saying, “Russia and Putin are in big economic trouble.”

Echoes of His UNGA Speech

Trump’s remarks on social media closely reflected his earlier speech at the UNGA session. Addressing world leaders, he pointed out that Russia had failed to achieve a quick victory, despite early predictions that Ukraine would fall within weeks.

Trump said, “Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win.”

He further added, “This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger’.”

According to Trump, the war has strained Russia’s resources so severely that “it’s almost impossible for them to get gasoline through the long lines that are being formed.”

Praise for Ukraine’s Fighting Spirit

Trump also commended Ukraine’s determination, saying its strength continues to grow. “Ukrainians have a great spirit, and it’s only getting better,” he said.

He added, “Ukraine would be able to take back their country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that!”

Before a private meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump reaffirmed his stance when asked about his social media post.
“I really do feel that way. Let them get their land back,” he stated.

Zelenskyy Pushes for More Sanctions

During his public remarks alongside Trump, President Zelenskyy urged stronger sanctions against Russia to pressure Moscow into negotiating peace.

He also called on European nations to stop purchasing Russian energy, arguing that cutting economic ties would weaken Russia’s war efforts.

European Officials Puzzled by Sudden Shift

Trump’s abrupt policy reversal left European diplomats at the UNGA confused and concerned. According to The New York Times, some officials wondered if Trump’s new stance meant he was abandoning earlier peace initiatives or setting the stage for renewed US-Russia ties.

This unexpected change has sparked questions about whether Washington will continue to support diplomatic solutions or push for Ukraine’s complete territorial restoration.

Trump’s statements signal a dramatic shift in US policy toward the Ukraine conflict. Once advocating for compromise and frozen battle lines, he now believes Ukraine can fully reclaim its territory. While Zelenskyy welcomed the show of support, European leaders remain uncertain about the broader implications for peace talks and future US-Russia relations.