The US president has stated that a victory for Kyiv appears improbable.
US President Donald Trump expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine’s ability to prevail in its conflict with Russia. Addressing reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump clarified his stance on the war, stating, “They could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it.”
He further elaborated, ”I said they could win. Anything could happen. You know, war is a very strange thing. A lot of bad things happen. A lot of good things happen.”
Responding to inquiries concerning purported Russian attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, he asserted that the majority of fatalities were military personnel. Trump additionally claimed that approximately 5,000 to 7,000 soldiers from both factions are dying weekly in the ongoing conflict.
Last month, Trump had suggested that Ukraine might be capable of reclaiming all territories ceded to Russia throughout the three-year conflict.
After a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Trump reiterated his belief that Ukraine is destined to forfeit some of its “property” to Russia as a consequence of the prolonged conflict.
Although Kyiv has consistently rejected territorial concessions, Moscow has identified the pullout of Ukrainian forces from what it calls new Russian regions as a principal condition for achieving an enduring peace.
Since assuming office, Trump has departed from the Biden administration’s policy of maintaining diplomatic aloofness from Moscow. In August, Trump held a meeting with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, and the two leaders confirmed last week that they are arranging another summit in Budapest.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has indicated his willingness to host the upcoming summit.