Ukraine victory prospects took center stage after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. Trump signaled a major shift in his administration’s stance on the war, stating that Ukraine is now “in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back,” a message that contrasts sharply with his earlier positions on territorial concessions.

In his post-meeting remarks, Trump emphasized that Russia’s deteriorating economy and battlefield setbacks have created a window of opportunity for Kyiv. According to him, continued European and NATO financial backing could enable Ukraine to restore its internationally recognized borders. This marks a notable reversal from previous comments in which Trump suggested that Crimea would “stay with Russia” and entertained ceasefire proposals requiring Ukraine to withdraw from parts of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The shift comes just weeks after Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where discussions reportedly centered on territorial swaps and security guarantees. That earlier approach sparked strong criticism from Kyiv and European partners, who rejected any settlement based on existing front lines or recognition of Russia’s illegal land grabs.

Following the latest meeting, Zelensky expressed optimism, suggesting Trump now understands that Ukraine “can’t just swap territories,” reaffirming that sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. Zelensky also highlighted Ukrainian battlefield advances—over 360 kilometers in recent weeks—and rising Russian losses.

Trump pointed to Russia’s “crashing” economy as evidence that Moscow is running out of strategic momentum. He added that this moment presents an opportunity for Ukraine to press forward, especially as U.S.-funded NATO military aid, including Patriot systems and HIMARS missiles, begins to flow under the PURL program.

Overall, the meeting signals a renewed alignment between Washington and Kyiv, centered not on territorial compromise but on restoring Ukraine’s full sovereignty.