President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Ukraine can win back all of its territory lost to Russia with the help of the European Union, a dramatic shift from his previous statements on the conflict.
“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 posted to Truth Social hours after speaking at the United Nations. “With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.”
Trump went on to say that Putin and Russia are in “BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.” He said that the U.S. will continue to supply weapons to NATO “for NATO to do what they want with them.”
Speaking at the White House as recently as last month, Trump suggested that there have been talks about Russia and Ukraine potentially “swapping” territory as part of a ceasefire deal.
“We’re actually looking to get some back and some swapping. It’s complicated. It’s actually nothing easy. It’s very complicated,” Trump said Aug. 8 during an event with leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia.
During one of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s more explosive visits to the White House earlier this year, Trump told Zelenskyy that without the United States he doesn’t “have the cards.”
“With us, you have the cards, but without us, you don’t have any cards,” Trump said.
Trump’s announcement on Tuesday was met with cheers from a number of Republicans. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Trump’s new stance is “a gamechanger.”
“President Trump is correct in assessing that the Russian economy is under stress and this will only get worse if we make buying cheap Russian oil and gas toxic for those who choose that path,” Graham posted to X. “Time to end this bloodbath. Well done, Mr. President.”
“Amen!” Sen. Kevin Cramer said in a repost of Graham’s post.