Trump says Ukraine can win back all territory in sharp policy shift

Trump meets Zelenskyy at UN General Assembly, 23 September 2025.
Reuters

President Donald Trump signalled a major shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, saying Kyiv is now in a position to “fight and win” the war against Russia.

Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the assembly and later posted on Truth Social that, after reviewing the military and economic situation, he believes Ukraine—with European Union support—can reclaim all territory taken by Russia since 2014.

“For three and a half years, Russia has been fighting aimlessly in a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win,” Trump wrote, claiming the conflict is straining Russia’s economy. He added that, with patience and support from Europe and NATO, Ukraine could restore its original borders.

This marks the first time Trump has suggested Ukraine could recover all occupied areas, reversing his previous position that Kyiv might need to cede land to reach a peace deal. Any arrangement requiring Ukraine to give up territory seized by force would be illegal under international law.

Trump also pledged to continue supplying weapons to NATO, saying the alliance could “do what they want with them.”

Zelenskyy described his meeting with Trump as “very good” and “definitely the most substantive one,” though he noted it was too early to provide details.

The U.S. president’s comments come amid growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over stalled peace talks and ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine.

Tags