Kyiv Can Win All of Ukraine Back from Russia, Trump Says
In a significant shift in his stance on the war with Russia, US President Donald Trump has stated that Kyiv can "win all of Ukraine back in its original form" with the support of Europe and Nato. This assertion marks a departure from his previous warnings that Ukraine would likely have to cede some territory as part of any peace agreement.
According to a post on Trump's Truth Social platform, he believes that Ukraine could regain control over the territories it lost since 2014, including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Trump also suggested that Ukraine might be able to "maybe even go further than that," but did not specify what he meant.
The comments came after a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has consistently rejected any proposal for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. In the past, Trump had expressed his desire to end the war, but had also acknowledged that it would be difficult to achieve without some concessions from Ukraine.
Trump's statement was met with skepticism by some analysts, who pointed out that regaining control over Crimea and other territories lost since 2014 would require significant military action. "It's not just a matter of saying 'we want our territory back,'" said one expert. "Russia has invested heavily in these regions, and it will take more than words to convince them to leave."
The Russian government also weighed in on Trump's comments, with President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggesting that the US president's change of tone was motivated by a desire to boost his own reputation as a peacemaker.
The implications of Trump's statement are far-reaching and complex. If Ukraine were able to regain control over all its lost territories, it would require significant military and economic support from Europe and Nato. It could also have major consequences for Russia's economy and global standing.
In the short term, the situation remains volatile, with ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine and a fragile ceasefire in place. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Trump's words can translate into meaningful action on the ground.
Background:
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia began in 2014, when pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from power. Since then, fighting has continued intermittently, with a full-scale invasion by Russia launched in February 2022.
Additional Perspectives:
"This is a significant shift in Trump's position on the war," said one analyst. "It suggests that he may be willing to take a more aggressive stance against Russia."
"But it's not clear what this means in practical terms," added another expert. "Ukraine needs concrete support from Europe and Nato, not just words of encouragement."
Current Status:
The situation on the ground remains tense, with ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine and a fragile ceasefire in place. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Trump's words can translate into meaningful action.
Next Developments:
In the coming days and weeks, attention will focus on how Europe and Nato respond to Trump's comments. Will they offer concrete support to Ukraine, or will this remain a rhetorical gesture? Only time will tell.
*Reporting by Bbc.*