On Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, former U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare that Ukraine, bolstered by support from the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), "is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form."
This marked a sharp shift in Trump's earlier stance – he had previously urged Kyiv to make concessions for a ceasefire, arguing that Ukraine "doesn't have the cards." Zelenskyy greeted the new tone as "a very positive signal," stressing that continued U.S. sanctions and targeted pressure on Russia's energy and banking sectors remain critical.
Back in Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pushed back. He suggested that U.S.-Russia and Ukraine-Russia talks should run in parallel, warning that sidelining Russia would be "dangerous and unacceptable." Peskov emphasized that, from his perspective, the Russian economy remains stable despite sanctions, and that Russian forces are executing a measured strategy on the ground.
On Europe's side, a German government spokesperson welcomed Trump's firm language, noting it aligns with Berlin's push to sustain and even intensify Western pressure on the aggressor. This, German officials hope, could pave the way for tougher sanctions against Moscow.
As diplomatic maneuvers continue on the sidelines of the UNGA, the debate over Ukraine's path to reclaiming its territory – and Russia's role in Europe's security architecture – remains at the forefront of international discussions.
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Trump claims Ukraine in position to 'win all of Ukraine back'
cgtn.com
