Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox Business Sunday that Russia may give back some Ukrainian territory but sees President Vladimir Putin as a key obstacle to ending the conflict, a perspective he later refined on TruthSocial.
Trump Revises Ukraine War Position in Fox Business Interview
During a Sunday interview on Fox Business, Trump asserted that Russian forces might relinquish territory captured in Ukraine and that Vladimir Putin could open negotiations. He later admitted that Putin remains a barrier to peace. The host asked if Putin would be willing to end the war without Ukraine losing lands; Trump nodded, saying “Well, he’ll take something.” He recalled that “they struck hard to gain territory” and that the U.S. is the only country that enters, wins, and exits a war, like Bush in the Middle East.
TruthSocial Post Restates Earlier Ambitions for Ukraine
At the end of September, Trump posted on TruthSocial that after fully understanding Ukraine’s military and economic situation and Russia’s economic hardships, Ukraine – with EU support – can still fight to regain its original borders. He added that, with time, patience, and European, especially NATO, financial backing, restoring Ukraine’s pre‑war boundaries is most realistic.
Trump’s Talks with Zelenski and Putin Shape Messaging
Two days after a White‑House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and three days following a phone call with Putin, Trump said President Putin is “watching” the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. He noted the criticism of the brutal weapon but stressed that the U.S. cannot hand over all its arms. Trump expressed support for Zelenskiy and Ukraine, yet warned against providing insufficient aid.
