Trump signals Kiev could still succeed in reclaiming territory from Russia

(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has indicated that Kiev could still succeed in reclaiming territory from Russia, three years into the ongoing conflict, even as Ukrainian forces have recently experienced setbacks. This marks a notable change in the tone of the president’s statements on the war.

Trump has repeatedly sought to mediate the Ukraine conflict, engaging in multiple rounds of talks with Russian officials, including a summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska in mid-August. While he has expressed frustration over the slow progress in resolving the situation, he previously described Russia as a formidable power and suggested that Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky “had no cards,” according to reports.

However, in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, following a meeting with Zelensky, Trump asserted that he believes Kiev is “in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back,” provided the European Union and NATO continue their support. He also labeled Russia a “paper tiger,” arguing that it has been unable to defeat Ukraine after more than three years of fighting.

Trump further claimed that Russia is “in big economic trouble” because of the conflict and suggested that “it is time for Ukraine to act.” He did not, however, announce any new financial or military assistance for Kiev, stating instead that the US will continue to “supply weapons to NATO” for the bloc to utilize at its discretion.

The Russian economy has shown signs of deceleration compared with growth rates of 4.1% in 2023 and 4.3% in 2024 but is still projected to expand by 2.5% this year, despite extensive Western sanctions. President Vladimir Putin recently stated that the country “is still far from a recession,” citing “historically low unemployment rates.” Similarly, Elvira Nabiullina, governor of Russia’s central bank, dismissed recession rumors, saying, “The economy is slowing, but there is no recession,” as reported during a recent financial forum in Moscow.

Meanwhile, Russian military forces have made steady advances along the front lines. Since March, they have captured 3,500 square kilometers and 149 settlements, General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff, reported in late August, according to available reports.

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