Topics: Donald Trump, Ukraine, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Donald Trump appears to have changed his tune when it comes to if Ukraine can win the war against Russia.
Trump has been meeting with the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeatedly over the last months, often discussing whether the US would supply the nation with more weapons.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that he will be able to bring the conflict, which began when Russia invaded in 2022, to a close.
He has shown frustration with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past but has remained optimistic a peaceful agreement can be reached.
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However, on Friday (October 17), Trump and Zelenskyy reportedly got into a shouting match as the pair met at the White House.
Zelenskyy was hopeful he would be able to secure Tomahawk missiles from the US, which would have proved invaluable in increasing the distance with which Ukraine could strike Russia.
But Trump argued that Zelenskyy should concede to Putin’s demands to end the conflict, which included surrendering lands Russia took by force during the war.
This is something that Zelenskyy has rejected. Trump also insisted that 'Putin will destroy you' if he doesn’t concede to these terms.
Following this conversation, Trump has said he now doesn’t believe Ukraine will win the conflict.
During a visit to the White House by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a reporter asked Trump about the conflict and their chances of Ukraine winning it.
He replied: “I don't think they will. They could still win it, I never said they would win it... War is a very strange thing, a lot of bad things happen.”
This is a massive contrast to what Trump had been saying a few weeks back.
Back in September, Trump took to Truth Social to say that he believed Ukraine could win back all of its land.
He said: “After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, 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. Why not?
"Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like 'a paper tiger'."
Russia did hit back against these comments from Trump and insisted it was not a ‘paper tiger’ but rather 'a bear’.
