New Delhi: In a major shift in his position on the Russia-Ukraine war, US President Donald Trump has said Kyiv can “win all of Ukraine back in its original form” with NATO’s help, and the conflict so far makes Moscow look like a “paper tiger”.
“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,” he posted on his social media app TruthSocial.
He added, “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. Why not? 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’.”
He said Ukraine would be able to take back their country in its original form “and, who knows, maybe even go further than that!”
“Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act. In any event, 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!,” he said.
We had a productive meeting with @POTUS on the sidelines of UNGA, and I thank President Trump for this opportunity. I also deeply appreciate the meeting between the First Ladies of our countries, @FLOTUS and @ZelenskaUA, to discuss the fate of Ukrainian children.
Today, there… https://t.co/KMZuOfAjiv
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2025
His remarks came after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following Trump’s address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Trump’s post came as a surprise because he has repeatedly expressed his desire to end the war, but has previously warned that process would likely involve Ukraine giving up some territory. This was something that Zelenskyy has consistently rejected.
Zelenskyy hailed the “big shift” in Trump’s position. Speaking to reporters in the UN building, he said he understood the US was willing to give Ukraine security guarantees “after the war is finished”.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump also said NATO countries should shoot down Russian planes breaching their airspace, following a series of recent incursions by Russian fighter jets and drones.
Last week, Estonia and Poland requested a consultation with other NATO members after Russia violated their airspaces in separate incidents. Romania, another NATO member, also said Russian drones breached its airspace.
After the meeting on Tuesday, NATO issued a statement condemning Russia’s actions and warned that it would use “all necessary military and non-military tools” to defend itself.
“Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation and endanger lives. They must stop,” it said.
Russia has denied violating Estonia’s airspace and said that the Polish incursion was not deliberate but did not comment on the Romania incident.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)