Trump Claims Ukraine Can Win Against Russia
On Tuesday, former President Trump stated that Ukraine has the potential to win its war against Russia and regain lost territory, characterizing Russian forces as “paper tigers.”
Trump expressed, “I think Ukraine is in a position to fight and win everything in Ukraine in its original form, with support from the European Union, which is impacting Russia, especially when they fully grasp the military and economic landscape in Ukraine and witness the economic issues at play.”
He added, “Time, patience, and financial backing from Europe—particularly where this war initially started—are key. Why not?”
This statement followed a UN meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where the ongoing conflict since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 was discussed, along with US efforts to disrupt Russia’s military endeavors.
In his social media remarks, Trump criticized Russia for what he deemed a prolonged conflict, noting it’s been over three years and should have concluded swiftly. “This doesn’t reflect well on Russia; in fact, it makes them appear as a ‘paper tiger,’” he noted.
He also suggested that Russian citizens might withdraw their support for the war, given its negative economic impact. “Putin and Russia are facing significant economic challenges, which is when Ukraine gains momentum,” Trump remarked. “In any event, I wish both countries well. We will keep supplying NATO with whatever they need. Good luck to everyone!”
These comments mark a shift in Trump’s rhetoric regarding the war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, he implied that, given the territorial gains Russian forces achieved, they might need to consider compromises in any potential peace negotiations.
Last month, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, but no notable progress was made toward peace. He later welcomed Zelensky and European leaders at the White House to advance discussions on Ukraine’s security assurances.
Moreover, Trump has recently urged European nations to cease purchasing Russian oil as a strategy to weaken Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
When asked about Putin’s reliability during his meeting with Zelensky on Tuesday, Trump indicated he would have more to say on that in “about a month.”
