In a dramatic change of tone in the Russia-Ukraine war, former US President Donald Trump declared that Ukraine "is in a position to fight and WIN" and reclaim all of its territories "back in its original form."
In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump said Kyiv was able to retake its lost territories "with the support of the European Union."
"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. 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?,” he added.
Trump described Russia's military actions as "aimless" and indicated that the war reveals the nation to be a "paper tiger."
“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 said.
He also praised Ukraine's tenacity and spirit in its battle with Russia.
“Ukraine would be able to take back their Country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that!”
But Trump seemed to distance the US from direct engagement, ending his post on a non-committal note: "good luck to all."
“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 noted.
Earlier on Tuesday, while at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the UN General Assembly sidelines in New York, Trump voiced backing for downing Russian planes flying into NATO airspace, simply answering, "Yes, I do."
He also praised Ukraine's war efforts, saying the US has "great respect for the fight that Ukraine is putting up, pretty amazing actually.
During his morning UN General Assembly address, Trump lambasted Europe and NATO for "paying for the war against themselves" by continuing to buy Russian energy.
“Inexcusably, even NATO countries have not cut off much Russian energy and Russian energy products. They're funding the war against themselves. Who the hell ever heard of that one?”
He repeated that the US would look at additional sanctions for Russia only if European countries join in.
“In the event that Russia is not ready to make a deal to end the war, then the United States is fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs, which would stop the bloodshed. But for those tariffs to be effective. European nations, all of you are gathered here right now, would have to join us in adopting the exact same measures,” he said.
Sources say that Trump's annoyance at the stalled progress toward ending the conflict has been escalating, a month after his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
