The President of the United States, Donald Trump, surprised on Tuesday by publicly supporting the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and asserting that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, “can win the war against Russia and reclaim its country in its original form.”
The Republican made these statements on Truth Social after meeting in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with Zelensky and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
"He is a brave man and is fighting with all his strength; we will see how all of this turns out. (...) And we, um... have great respect for the struggle that Ukraine is undertaking. They are doing quite an incredible job, actually," he emphasized.
He added that "Ukraine has a great spirit and will increasingly be able to reclaim its country in its original form, and who knows, maybe even go beyond that! Putin and Russia are in serious economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to take action," Trump stated.
The U.S. president added that, with “time, patience, and the financial support of Europe, and particularly from NATO,” it is feasible to restore the borders that existed before the Russian invasion.
Although he expressed his desire for “the best for both countries,” he clarified that the United States will continue supplying weapons to NATO “so that it can do whatever it wants with them.”
Trump justified his shift in stance on the military and economic situation in Moscow.
"Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years in a war that a true military power should have won in less than a week. It is a paper tiger," he noted.
He also warned that the citizens of Moscow and other major cities will eventually feel the effects of the war in their daily lives, "including long lines to get gasoline."
In response, Zelensky publicly thanked Trump for his change of stance during an interview with Fox News.
"I believe he understands that we cannot simply exchange territories. It is not fair. It is not the reality. God bless him," said the Ukrainian leader, who also revealed that he maintains constant communication with Trump and suggested that the change is due to the fact that Putin "has lied to him repeatedly."
The Ukrainian president also took advantage of his presence at the UN to urge the United States and China to use their influence over Russia to enforce a ceasefire.
"Without China, Putin's Russia is nothing," Zelensky stated before the Security Council, criticizing Beijing for "remaining distant and silent instead of seeking peace."
The European Union immediately welcomed Trump's words. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, deemed the support from the U.S. president as “very positive” and emphasized that the priority now is to “put more pressure on Russia” and ensure that Ukraine wins the war. “It is very good that we now share the same understanding,” she stated.
Frequently asked questions about Trump's support for Zelensky and the situation in Ukraine
Why did Donald Trump decide to support Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine?
Donald Trump decided to support Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine due to Russia's critical military and economic situation. Trump believes that Ukraine, with the backing of the European Union and NATO, has the capacity to regain its lost territory and win the war against Russia.
How is the war affecting the Russian economy according to Trump?
According to Trump, Russia is facing serious economic problems due to the prolonged conflict and international sanctions. This situation is affecting the daily lives of its citizens, with issues such as long lines to get gasoline.
What actions has Trump proposed regarding NATO and the conflict in Ukraine?
Trump has proposed that NATO countries should shoot down Russian planes if they violate their airspace. Furthermore, he has reiterated the United States' commitment to continue providing weapons to NATO to support Ukraine in the war.
What stance has the European Union taken regarding Trump's support for Ukraine?
The European Union has celebrated Trump's support for Ukraine and sees it as a positive that the United States shares the same view on the need to exert pressure on Russia. The EU emphasizes the priority of ensuring Ukraine's victory in the conflict.
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