In a surprising announcement, former US President Donald Trump declared that Ukraine has the potential to fully reclaim its territory from Russia. This statement marks a notable pivot in his stance regarding the ongoing conflict.

Trump made these remarks on his Truth Social platform, asserting that with the backing of Europe and NATO, Ukraine could restore its "original borders from where this war started." This comes amid pressures mounting on the Russian economy, and follows a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Trump addressed the UN General Assembly.

Historically, Trump has expressed a desire to conclude the war but cautioned that such a resolution might necessitate Ukraine conceding some territory—something Zelensky has firmly opposed. However, in this latest statement, Trump suggested that Ukraine might be able to go even further, though he didn’t elaborate.

Interestingly, Trump did not mention Crimea, which has been under Russian control since its annexation in 2014, nor did he address the broader implications of the conflict that escalated dramatically in 2022.

After gaining insights into the military and economic dynamics between Ukraine and Russia, Trump stated, "Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act," labeling Russia a "paper tiger." Zelensky characterized Trump’s shift as significant and hinted that the US may be prepared to offer Ukraine security guarantees once the war concludes, although he admitted specifics were still unclear.

During his UN address, Trump also urged NATO allies to take a firmer stand against Russian incursions, suggesting they shoot down Russian aircraft breaching their airspace. This comes on the heels of several incidents involving Russian military aircraft intruding in the airspace of NATO nations like Estonia and Poland.

When asked whether the US would ally with its NATO partners in such scenarios, Trump responded, "it depends on the circumstance," praising NATO for enhancing defense spending commitments.

In his earlier remarks, Trump criticized certain NATO allies for continuing to purchase Russian energy, stating they were effectively funding their own adversaries. This latest Truth Social post is a sharp departure from his earlier claims that Ukraine’s prospects were bleak, shifting from a narrative of despair to one of potential victory.

Previously, during an intense Oval Office conversation in February with Zelensky, Trump had suggested that Ukraine's path to success against a larger Russia was precarious, indicating that some territorial compromises might be necessary.

As diplomatic efforts remain stalled, Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy approach continues to raise eyebrows. This latest declaration not only adds a fresh layer to the ongoing dialogue but also reaffirmed America’s commitment to supplying arms to NATO—which could eventually aid Ukraine. Though it falls short of the comprehensive backing provided by the current Biden administration, it signals an intriguing development in US-Ukraine relations.