US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he now believes Ukraine is in a position to regain control of its entire territory and defeat Russia – with the European Union and NATO’s support.
In an abrupt volte-face, Trump posted to his social media platform Truth Social that Ukraine could “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 (sic) very much an option,” he added.
Also on Tuesday, the US president attended the UN general assembly in New York – where he delivered an excoriating address to the UN before holding a friendlier meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the event.
Trump also criticized Russia for “aimlessly” fighting its war in Ukraine for three and a half years – a war, he said, which it would have taken a real military power less than a week to win.
“This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger,’” the US president wrote.
He also cited Russia’s fuel crisis as an indicator that the Russian economy is in serious trouble.
“Ukraine [has] Great Spirit, and only getting better, Ukraine would be able to take back their Country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that!” Trump added – appearing to suggest that Ukraine may even be able to conquer some Russian territory.
He signed off by promising that the US will “continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them” and wishing both countries well.
Trump quite literally rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska last month. However, has been showing signs of losing patience with the Kremlin strongman in recent weeks, as Putin’s promised participation in peace talks failed to materialize.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft violating NATO airspace.