Trump’s sudden reversal on Ukraine sparks cautious optimism in Kyiv, and mockery in Moscow

In a significant and unexpected policy reversal, President Donald Trump declared that Ukraine has the capacity to reclaim all the territory lost to Russia, a statement from the U.S. president that has drawn mixed reactions from both Ukraine and Russia.

As the United Nations gathered in New York, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post: «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. 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.»

The remarks marked a dramatic shift from his earlier calls for Kyiv to make concessions and bring the war to an end through diplomacy.

Ukrainian officials and citizens greeted the reversal with cautious optimism, but also with deep uncertainty about whether it would translate into concrete action. Behind the scenes, Ukraine is watching closely whether Trump will follow up his words with tangible commitments: military, financial, or diplomatic.

A forceful call for global action

«Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act,» Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Many fear that Trump’s shift may prove rhetorical rather than translating into substantive action from the United States.

In his address to the United Nations this morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a forceful call for global action against Russian aggression. He warned that failure to act could unleash «the most destructive arms race in history,» pointing to the growing dangers posed by military AI and drone technologies, which he described as even more threatening than nuclear weapons.

Zelensky urged nations to adopt binding limitations on autonomous weapons and bolster security guarantees for Ukraine.

«I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all!»

Unsurprisingly, the Kremlin was quick to push back, rejecting Trump’s portrayal of Russia as weakened and balking at the idea that Ukraine can reclaim all territory.

«I wish both Countries well»

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mocked the idea of a «paper tiger» Russia, according to the Associated Press, saying: «Russia isn’t a tiger, it’s more associated with a bear … There are no paper bears. Russia is a real bear.»

These comments referred to Trump’s post on Truth Social: «Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should 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.»

Trump ended his post with a striking sign-off that underscored both the ambiguity and the controversy of his stance:

«I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all!»