Trump says Ukraine can win back all territory lost to Russia, a shift from US leader’s call on Kyiv to make concessions

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Ukraine can win back all territory lost to Russia, a dramatic shift from the U.S. leader's call on Kyiv to make concessions to end the war.

Trump offered his position in a social media posting soon after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Trump in part wrote, "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. 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."

Commenting on the shift in the U.S. president's rhetoric toward the war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy told reporters that Trump now appears "more closer to this situation."

The Ukrainian leader said Trump's view of the balance of powers on the battlefield now coincides more with Ukrainian one than before. He declined to reveal what had prompted the shift but stressed the importance of Trump's evolving position.

Zelenskyy also said Trump expressed readiness to offer Ukraine security guarantees once the war ends. He gave no details, adding that Trump did not specify the type or amount of weapons such guarantees might involve.

He noted that while Trump could significantly influence the course of events, China has so far shown little sign of wanting to play a role in ending Russia's invasion.

"I see that Trump is a game changer, and Xi Jinping can also have influence on Russia," he said.