US President Donald Trump has taken a new position on the war in Ukraine, saying the country has a chance to reclaim territories under Russian control.
The statement came on Tuesday, shortly after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York following his address at the UN General Assembly.
Trump said Ukraine could work toward restoring its original borders, pointing to Russia’s struggling economy and the growing strength of Ukraine’s military. He added that with time, patience, and support from Europe and NATO, Ukraine could achieve victory.
The president’s stance marks a sharp contrast to his earlier view. For months, Trump had called for a quick end to the war, often suggesting that Ukraine would need to give up parts of its territory to Russia. This proposal had been firmly rejected by Zelensky.
Trump had previously appeared more favorable toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, even receiving public praise during their August meeting in Alaska. By contrast, his relations with Zelensky had been rocky. In February, a tense meeting at the White House ended with Trump and Vice President JD Vance accusing the Ukrainian leader of being ungrateful.
What triggered Trump’s sudden shift remains unclear. Reports from European officials suggest he may be recalibrating his position as the war drags on. Meanwhile, Trump has also told NATO allies to respond firmly to Russian drones and aircraft crossing into their territories, urging them to shoot down such intrusions.
Zelensky welcomed Trump’s new position, calling it a hopeful sign that the United States will continue backing Ukraine until the war ends. He also hinted that Putin’s repeated false assurances to Trump may have played a role in reshaping the president’s view.
The war, now in its fourth year, has left Russia bogged down with no decisive victory. Trump’s change of tone may signal a new phase in how Washington approaches the conflict.