Trump says he believes Ukraine can win war, reclaim land from Russia

In a major shift, President Donald Trump said Sept. 23 that Ukraine “is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form” from Russia.

The declaration came on Truth Social shortly after Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.

“After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, 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 on Truth Social.

“With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO,” Trump continued, “the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.”

He added that “Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.”

Earlier in the day, Trump urged countries to stop purchasing Russian oil and warned that the U.S. is “fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs.” The White House has repeatedly pressured European nations to cut off Russian oil to stifle Moscow’s economy and weaken its war effort.

Trump’s comments marked a significant departure from his earlier stance. According to Politico, he had previously suggested that Zelenskyy would need to concede territory to secure peace. 

Last month, Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska but reported no progress toward ending the war. Days later, he hosted Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House to discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine.

When asked during his Sept. 23 meeting with Zelenskyy if he trusted Putin, Trump told reporters he would give them an answer “in about a month.”