KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Ukrainians exhibited caution regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's surprising shift in perspective about their battle against Russia's invasion. Trump recently suggested that Ukraine could win the ongoing three-year conflict and reclaim territory seized by Moscow.
Russian officials responded by asserting that the realities of the battlefield demonstrate Ukraine's inability to recover occupied land, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing Trump's characterization of Russia as a "paper tiger." Peskov remarked, "Russia isn't a tiger; it's more associated with a bear. There are no paper bears. Russia is a real bear."
Wary of Trump's unpredictability, some Ukrainians expressed hope that his supportive rhetoric would translate into tangible assistance. Olha Voronina, a 66-year-old resident of Kyiv, emphasized the need for ongoing American support, stating, "We need such support from America, from Donald Trump, and we hope that this will continue in the future — the same rhetoric, the same attitude toward us, toward Ukraine, and toward the war in Ukraine."
Conversely, Volodymyr Cheslavskyi, a 48-year-old soldier recuperating from injuries, articulated skepticism regarding Trump's motives, suggesting the former president was more preoccupied with financial gain than genuinely aiding Ukraine. Cheslavskyi noted the inconsistency in Trump’s statements, indicating a lack of clarity about his intentions.
Anna Khudimova, 43, voiced confidence in the capabilities of Ukraine's armed forces but stressed that success against Russia's larger military would depend on the support of NATO and Europe. She added, "If Trump influences the situation, then perhaps this can be realistic."
Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia has occupied approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, with the full-scale invasion commencing in February 2022. In a recent address to the United Nations and on social media, Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military's effectiveness while asserting that NATO countries should intercept Russian warplanes that breach their airspace.
Trump's recent remarks represent a stark departure from his prior stance, which had been characterized by indifference or hostility toward Ukraine and a tendency to align more closely with Putin. After assuming office in January 2017, Trump reversed the longstanding U.S. policy of isolating Russia. He previously dismissed the idea of Ukraine joining NATO, suggested that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must negotiate land concessions for peace, and disparaged Zelenskyy as "a dictator without elections."
Ukrainian lawmakers commented on the significance of Trump's unexpected yet impactful statements. Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament's Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, stated, "What remains important to us is not only Trump’s words, but also whether he fulfills the earlier promises regarding decisive sanctions" against Russia.
This year, the United States and Ukraine entered a deal allowing access to Ukraine's critical minerals and resources. A Ukrainian delegation is expected to visit Washington next week for discussions on joint weapons production, with an emphasis on drone manufacturing, an area where Ukraine excels in battle-tested technology.
On his social media platforms, Trump noted, "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." Max Bergmann from the Center for Strategic and International Studies remarked that such comments suggest an inclination for the U.S. to shift the burden of the conflict predominantly onto European nations.
In response, Russian state media framed Trump’s comments as an attempt to offload the conflict's responsibilities onto Europe while encouraging increased procurement of American weaponry. Peskov countered Trump’s notion that "Russia has been fighting aimlessly," insisting that their military actions are aimed at safeguarding national security and addressing longstanding grievances that have fueled tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, currently a deputy head of the Security Council, ridiculed Trump's remarks, labeling them as an "alternative reality" and implying that Trump's perspective might shift once again soon.
