Donald Trump disparaged the Russian army and backed Ukraine to retake all its occupied territory in an astonishing about-turn on the conflict.
In a submit on Reality Social, made after talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the United Nations in New York, the US president stated a return to “the original borders from where this war started is very much an option”.
“I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” he wrote.
Mr Trump stated “time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO” may assist Kyv win again misplaced territory, and stated Russia was in “economic trouble”.
He stated Moscow had been “fighting aimlessly” for three-and-a-half years – and had it been a “real military power” it could have defeated Ukraine in lower than per week.
“This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger’,” he added.
Picture:
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the United Nations. Pic: Reuters
Trump’s endurance not ‘infinite’
Mr Trump additionally appeared to pour chilly water on his hopes of persuading Vladimir Putin to signal a peace deal.
Chatting with Emmanuel Macron on the UN summit, he stated their relationship had turned out to be meaningless.
Simply final month, Mr Trump rolled out the pink carpet for the Russian president at a summit in Alaska – in a push to expedite the conflict’s conclusion.
Earlier than returning to the White Home, he repeatedly claimed he’d be capable to finish the battle in 24 hours.
Talking on the UN Safety Council, his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, admitted ending the conflict had confirmed an “extraordinary challenge”.
He stated Mr Trump had “worked on it tirelessly”, however warned Russia his endurance isn’t “infinite”.
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The US president has beforehand steered Ukraine won’t ever be capable to reclaim all of the territory Russia has occupied since seizing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.
Ukraine has misplaced massive areas of land within the east of the nation.
Within the Donetsk area, Russia now controls about 70% of the territory. Kyiv’s forces have been pushed again to 4 cities analysts have dubbed the “fortress belt”.
Moscow has partly annexed three different areas, too: Luhansk within the east, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson additional west.
Picture:
The state of affairs in Ukraine on 19 September
Trump tells NATO to shoot down Russian jets in its skies
In the meantime, Russia seems to be upsetting its neighbours to the west. Final week, Estonia stated three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes earlier than Italian NATO jets escorted them away.
The week earlier than, about 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting NATO jets to shoot a few of them down and the alliance to beef up its defence of Europe’s jap flank.
Whereas speaking to Mr Zelenskyy on the UN, Mr Trump was requested by reporters whether or not he thought NATO ought to shoot down any Russian planes that entered NATO airspace.
“Yes, I do,” Mr Trump replied.
On Reality Social, he stated the US would proceed to produce weapons to NATO, and it was for the alliance to “do what they want with them”.
Mr Trump additionally steered the Russian persons are not conscious of “what is really going on with this war”.
He added: “Most of their money is being spent on fighting Ukraine. Putin and Russia are in big economic trouble and this is the time for Ukraine to act.”
He has known as on European and NATO allies to extend financial sanctions on Moscow.
In a joint assertion following the president’s feedback, G7 overseas ministers stated discussions had been ongoing about extra financial sanctions on Russia.
