Trump and war in Ukraine: is policy shift really happening?

What Trump said

After meetings with Zelenskyy and Ursula von der Leyen, he stated that Ukraine has the power to win back all territory occupied by Russia. On social media, Trump added that the U.S. will continue supplying NATO with weapons, but “good luck to all” beyond that.

How journalists interpreted it

The Telegraph writes that Trump is “washing his hands” of the war, effectively shifting responsibility to Europe and the Alliance. The outlet emphasizes that he made no promises of additional aid to Ukraine or tougher actions against Moscow.

Why their conclusion is questionable

1. Focus on Europe does not equal abandoning Ukraine. For Trump, highlighting NATO’s role is logical, as he has always criticized European allies’ “passivity.” This does not mean he is changing course — he rather continues his old line of “let them pay more.” But if they are paying, he can still stay involved.

2. A signal to Moscow. The statement that “Ukraine can reclaim all territory” directly contradicts Kremlin rhetoric. For Putin, it is more of a warning than a “concession.”

Conclusion

The Telegraph sees Trump’s words as “tired of Ukraine,” but it is more likely his classic style: minimal obligations, maximum pressure on allies, and room for maneuver. Whether this becomes a real policy shift remains an open question.

Source

About the author. Oleksandr Kraiev, expert at the Council on Foreign Policy Ukrainian Prism.

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog or column authors.