US President Donald Trump says Ukraine has every chance to reclaim all territory “with time,” patience, and support from the EU and NATO. Meanwhile, Ukraine needs weapons and billions of dollars to defend itself from Moscow, backed by China and North Korea.
Since taking office, Trump has not approved military aid packages for Ukraine and has not imposed sanctions on Russia. At the same time, Moscow’s terror has escalated each time after the US president talked or met with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, which ended with Ukrainian civilians being killed.
Earlier, Trump claimed he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. However, nine months later, this has not happened.
In addition, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the US decision not to impose sanctions on Russia for escalating terror against civilians reflects a deliberate US policy acting as a broker between Ukraine and Russia. Yet the war has not ended. Moreover, the Russian attacks continued not only in Ukraine but also in Poland.
In September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that if the war continues into 2026, the country will lack $120 billion annually to finance defense and recovery.
Half of this sum—$60 billion—comes from Ukraine’s budget, while another $60 billion must be secured from other sources, primarily Western partners.
Trump on Russia’s war against Ukraine
Trump’s statements came after the UN. On 23 September 2025, Donald Trump was in New York, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that after reviewing the military and economic situation in Ukraine and Russia, he believes Ukraine, with support from the EU, is in a position to fight and reclaim all its territory within its original borders.
“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,” Trump said.
The American leader emphasized that Russia has been waging a senseless war against Ukraine for over three and a half years. According to Trump, a “real military power” could have won it in less than a week.
“In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger,’” Trump wrote.
Economic pressure on Russia and Ukraine’s opportunities
He said that Ukraine will be able to restore its country to its previous state when residents of Moscow and all major Russian cities, towns, and regions realize what is really happening in this war.
And when they understand that it is almost impossible to get gasoline due to extremely long queues and face all the other problems of a wartime economy, where most resources are spent fighting Ukraine, a country with a higher morale that only grows stronger.
In reality, most Russians still support the war against Ukraine. They are enduring poverty and sanctions, yet are mobilizing to serve on the front lines.
The US and NATO support
The US president noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin faces massive economic difficulties. He believes that now is the time for Ukraine to act.
Trump said the US will continue to supply weapons to NATO “for NATO to do what they want with them.”