President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that Ukraine has the potential to reclaim all territory lost to Russia. This marks a significant change from his previous stance, where he suggested that Kyiv should make concessions to end the ongoing conflict. Trump shared his views on social media shortly after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the United Nations General Assembly.

In his post, Trump expressed confidence in Ukraine's ability to fight back, stating, "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."

This renewed support from Trump is seen as a significant victory for Zelenskyy, who has been urging the U.S. to maintain pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Trump's post did not mention any new sanctions or tariffs against Russia, nor did it address direct U.S. arms sales to Ukraine. Instead, he suggested that NATO allies would continue to procure American weaponry and transfer it to Ukraine.

During their meeting, Zelenskyy sought additional U.S. assistance to defend against Russia's missile and drone attacks. The two leaders, who have had a complicated relationship in the past, greeted each other warmly. Trump acknowledged Ukraine's efforts, saying, "We have great respect for the fight that Ukraine is putting up," to which Zelenskyy responded with updates from the battlefield.

Trump also commented on the state of the Russian economy, stating that it is currently in dire straits, which he believes could be a turning point in the conflict. He reiterated his call for European nations to halt imports of Russian oil and natural gas, emphasizing that strong tariffs could quickly reduce violence.

In his address to the General Assembly, Trump remarked that the war in Ukraine has made Russia appear weak, saying it was "supposed to be a quick little skirmish." He added, "It shows you what leadership is, what bad leadership can do to a country. The only question now is how many lives will be needlessly lost on both sides."

As the conflict continues, Zelenskyy is actively engaging with world leaders in New York and is scheduled to speak at a special U.N. Security Council session on Ukraine. Despite Trump's previous efforts to facilitate peace talks, progress has stalled, and the war has escalated.

European leaders and some U.S. lawmakers have urged Trump to implement stronger sanctions against Russia. Trump has consistently pushed for Europe to stop purchasing Russian oil, which he describes as essential to funding Putin's military actions. He has called for a "very strong round of powerful tariffs" to help end the bloodshed.

Before meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump discussed the situation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who indicated that Europe would impose additional sanctions and reduce its energy imports from Russia. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns among European leaders about the potential for the war to spread beyond Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the war continues to inflict heavy casualties on Ukrainian civilians. The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported a 40% increase in civilian casualties in the first eight months of this year compared to 2024. Reports also indicate that Russian authorities have subjected Ukrainian detainees in occupied territories to torture and ill-treatment.

Recent attacks by Russian forces have resulted in civilian deaths in various regions of Ukraine, including strikes in Zaporizhzhia and Tatarbunary. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russian forces launched multiple missiles and drones overnight, with some successfully intercepted. In response to the ongoing conflict, NATO allies are set to hold consultations regarding airspace violations by Russian aircraft.