According to Donald Trump, with the help of Western allies, Ukraine is able to regain the lands seized by the Russian aggressor. With time, money and financial support, especially from NATO, the borders from before the war began are an option, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
This represents a U-turn in Trump's position, notes ARD. In recent weeks, the US president has mentioned possible territorial concessions from Ukraine in talks about ending the war, the German public media recalls. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently rejected this prospect, and Russia has insisted that Ukraine acknowledge its territorial losses.
What does Trump mean?
In his post on Truth Social, Trump did not specify which borders of Ukraine he was referring to. For example, it is not clear whether Trump includes the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 as part of Ukraine's territories.
According to Trump, he came to his new position after studying in detail the military and economic situation of Ukraine and Russia and understanding it completely. Russia has been fighting a war for three years that "a real military power" could win in less than a week. "This is not an achievement of Russia - the country really looks like a "toothless tiger"."
The conversation with Zelensky
Trump and Zelensky held a conversation in parallel with the UN General Assembly in New York - and the American president demonstratively assured his Ukrainian counterpart of his support. Ukraine could not only return the captured lands, but also "who knows, even go further", Trump said.
He had great respect for Ukraine's struggle. "This is really impressive." The positive assessment of Ukraine's position is in sharp contrast to the meeting between Trump and Zelensky in February at the White House, when Trump and his Vice President Vance publicly humiliated the Ukrainian president, ARD recalls.
Zelensky also spoke of a "big turnaround". He also thanked Trump for his "personal efforts to end the war" and joined the US president's demand that European countries stop importing Russian oil.
The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas, welcomed Trump's change in position and expressed the opinion that all this was correct. "Yes, we must stop buying Russian energy. Yes, Ukraine must win the war." Kallas also welcomed Trump's other statements. "These were very clear statements, the likes of which we have never heard before in this form."
"Trump's "extraordinary patience" is running out
Trump also commented on the incidents in European airspace. When asked if he thought NATO should shoot down Russian planes that had violated its airspace, he replied, "Yes, I do."
According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Russian-induced delay in the peace process in Ukraine has led to a change in attitude towards Moscow. Trump has shown "extraordinary patience" and hoped for a diplomatic breakthrough. But this has not only led to stagnation, "but we have also entered a phase of potential escalation. Recently, the number of attacks has been historically high," Rubio said.
The foreign minister threatened Moscow with economic sanctions and stressed that the US could continue to support Kiev with weapons. Trump had "real options" and would take the necessary steps if Russia continued to be aggressive. "The president is a very patient man. He keeps the peace, but his patience is not infinite."
Author: Carsten Küntop (ARD)