Trump backs full Ukraine territorial claim

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Ukraine can reclaim all territory currently held by Russia, including the Crimean peninsula. The remark — a stark reversal from his earlier positions — came shortly after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly and in a post on Truth Social. Trump urged Kyiv to "act now," saying Moscow faces "big" economic problems and that Ukraine, with EU support, is "in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form."

The change in tone contrasts with prior statements from Trump suggesting Ukraine might need to cede territory to secure peace — comments that had raised Kyiv’s concerns about behind-the-scenes talks to legitimize Russian control of occupied areas. Zelenskiy described the meeting as "good" and "constructive," called Trump’s post a "big shift," and said he thought Ukrainian and U.S. teams were "closer than ever." He also said an "understanding" had been reached with Trump on post-war security guarantees, but gave no details.

Trump also pledged to "continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them," language analysts interpret as referring to a mechanism allowing European countries to buy U.S. arms for transfer to Ukraine. The post did not include new U.S. military commitments or tougher sanctions, and U.S. officials largely framed the statement as diplomatic leverage rather than a definitive policy change.

Reactions were mixed. Some European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, welcomed the tougher rhetoric as strengthening Kyiv’s diplomatic position. Russian diplomats and Kremlin spokespeople downplayed the remarks and reiterated Russia’s military strength. Analysts warn that reclaiming roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, would require major military, diplomatic and legal efforts and sustained international support. They say stronger U.S. rhetoric without clear commitments may bolster Kyiv’s negotiating position but could also prompt firmer Russian responses.

Key questions remain: whether the U.S. will formalize new aid packages, the timing and scale of European transfers of U.S.-origin weapons to Ukraine, and the exact nature of promised post-war security guarantees. The development adds a new layer to a complex diplomatic environment and could influence sanctions, arms transfers and prospects for a negotiated settlement.