Trump's attitude has made a sudden turnaround overnight, supporting Ukraine in reclaiming all its territory. The US president called Russia a "paper tiger" in his mouth.

After meeting with Zelenskyy and leaders of European countries in New York, US President Trump recently made a shocking statement on social media: "With the support of the EU and NATO, Ukraine has the potential to recover all its territory and return to its original state."

He further explained that based on a deep understanding of the military and economic conditions of both sides in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has lasted more than three and a half years, Russia has fallen into serious economic difficulties. At present, Russia looks like a "paper tiger".

As long as sufficient time and patience are given, under the support of Western financial and military aid, "returning to the original borders at the beginning of the war is a completely feasible option".

【Surprising Statement: From "Ceasefire and Loss Control" to "Restoration of Original State"】

Trump also announced that he would resume aid to Ukraine for "regaining all territories". This statement marks a 180-degree reversal in Trump's position on the Ukraine conflict.

For over a year, he has consistently advocated that Ukraine should accept reality and stop the war on the spot, even publicly pressuring the Kyiv government to make territorial concessions in negotiations to gain peace. He questioned the sustainability of massive aid to Ukraine, believing that the United States should not bear unlimited war costs.

However, this time, he not only clearly supported Ukraine in reclaiming lost territories but also rarely stated that the United States would continue to provide weapons to NATO allies and recognized that "shooting down Russian planes that infringe on airspace" was legitimate defense.

Trump's sudden change is not an isolated event but the result of multiple factors working together. The most direct driving force comes from the persistent lobbying of his European allies.

【Behind the Shift in Position: Strong Persuasion and Strategic Considerations by European Allies】

Since returning to the White House at the beginning of this year, core NATO countries such as Germany, the UK, and Poland have continuously emphasized to Trump that any "false peace" that sacrifices Ukraine's territorial integrity will completely destroy the credibility of the Western alliance and encourage Russia's expansionist ambitions.

Recent developments have also confirmed this concern. Since September, Russian military aircraft and drones have frequently violated the airspace of NATO member states such as Poland and Estonia.

At around midnight on September 10, nearly 20 Russian military drones entered Polish airspace, triggering emergency takeoffs of NATO fighter jets to intercept and shoot down some targets. On September 22, three Russian fighter jets illegally entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, and these actions were seen by NATO as a direct test of the collective defense system.

At the UN Security Council meeting, British Foreign Secretary Cooper and EU Foreign Representative Kallas warned Moscow: "Do not be delusional — we are fully prepared to defend every inch of our territory."

Facing the unity and firm stance of its allies, if Trump continues to adhere to an isolationist approach, he risks being marginalized by the Western bloc.

Additionally, Russia's performance on the battlefield has not ended the war as expected. Despite huge investments, its progress has been slow, and its domestic economy has continued to face pressure due to long-term sanctions.

Trump may have realized that a weak Russia is more beneficial to American strategic interests than a "victorious" Russia. Supporting Ukraine's counterattack can not only continue to drain Russia's strength but also consolidate the transatlantic alliance, which aligns with the logic of great power games within the framework of "America First".

【Fundamental Reversal of Trump's Position: Could Reshape the Course of the War】

If Trump's new position translates into actual policy, it would be the most fundamental strategic shift since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Previously, as the largest donor, the United States' attitude directly determined Ukraine's war capabilities. If the United States resumes and expands military aid to Ukraine, including providing more advanced long-range strike weapons, air defense systems, and intelligence support, Ukraine will gain the key force to turn the tide of the war.

More importantly, the United States' attitude will directly affect the entire NATO's actions. Once Washington clearly supports the goal of "restoring the original state," European allies will have more confidence to increase aid to Ukraine and may take greater steps in deploying F-16 fighter jets and sharing real-time intelligence. At the same time, sanctions against Russia could also be further escalated, cutting off more of its energy export channels.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has already held bilateral meetings with Trump during the UN General Assembly. Although the U.S. has not revealed specific commitments, Trump's statement about "shooting down invading aircraft" undoubtedly provides strong political endorsement for Ukraine.

In the future, Ukraine may launch a larger-scale counteroffensive with Western support, targeting Crimea and the occupied territories in eastern Ukraine.

【Conclusion: From "Transaction Peace" to "Victory Peace"】

A year ago, Trump promoted a "transaction peace" — exchanging recognition of the status quo for a ceasefire. Today, his statements are sliding towards a "victory peace" — supporting Ukraine to regain lost territories through military means.

This shift is both the result of the diplomatic efforts of European allies and an inevitable outcome of international developments. When the bear's claws reach the borders of NATO, even the most steadfast "America First" proponents must re-evaluate what genuine national interests truly mean.

Trump's reversal may be full of political calculations, but it sends a clear signal: on the issue of maintaining the Western security order, the底线 of compromise has been drawn. The endgame of the Russia-Ukraine war may be accelerating toward a brand-new direction.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7553446740871954987/

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