Trump Claims Ukraine Can Regain All Territory Taken by Russia

  Photo:AFP

In a striking political statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Ukraine can retake every territory seized by Russia since the start of the war. This remark, made as the conflict grinds into its fourth year, adds a new layer to the ongoing debate about how the war might ultimately end—and what role global powers should play in shaping that outcome.

The Weight of Trump’s Words

Trump’s comments carry importance beyond a casual remark. A central figure in U.S. politics and a leading voice in the upcoming presidential race, his view will influence not only American debates but also Ukraine’s allies around the world. The suggestion that Ukraine can achieve full victory—recovering all occupied regions including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and even Crimea—stands in sharp contrast to earlier opinions from some Western officials who have hinted at possible compromises.

By saying that Ukraine can regain all its land, Trump is effectively signaling strong support for Kyiv’s official position: that no territory should be surrendered. Ukraine’s leadership, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has consistently stressed that a peace deal cannot be built on giving away land. For them, every city and every village matters equally, whether it is the coal-rich Donbas or the strategically vital peninsula of Crimea.

Ukraine’s Current Battlefield Struggles

Trump’s declaration, however, comes at a time when the realities of the battlefield tell a more complicated story. After years of fighting, Ukrainian forces remain resilient, but Russia continues to hold large areas in the east and south. Despite heavy losses, Moscow’s army has entrenched itself, turning cities into strongholds and using artillery, drones, and air power to keep control.

Ukraine has achieved notable successes, such as pushing Russian troops back from Kyiv in 2022 and liberating cities like Kherson. Yet, reclaiming the rest of the occupied regions has proven far more difficult. Many military experts argue that a full reversal of Russian gains would require immense resources, advanced weapons, and longer-term support from the West.

Western Support and Its Limits

One decisive factor in this conflict has been Western aid. The United States, Europe, and other allies have provided billions of dollars in military, financial, and humanitarian support. Advanced weapon systems, including air defense units, anti-tank missiles, artillery, and drones, have helped Ukraine resist Russian advances.

Yet, even with this support, the prospect of driving Russia from all occupied territories remains uncertain. Russia’s vast military resources and its willingness to take heavy casualties make it a formidable opponent. Moreover, some Western powers have shown hesitation about supplying Ukraine with certain weapons, fearing that Russian escalation could lead to even more dangerous consequences, including the use of nuclear threats.

The Political Angle Behind Trump’s Statement

Trump’s choice of words must also be seen through the lens of American politics. By claiming Ukraine can regain all its land, he positions himself as both a defender of Ukrainian sovereignty and a critic of how the Biden administration has handled the war. This stance resonates with parts of the American public who want to see strong leadership on global issues but also raises questions about whether Trump, if elected again, would truly maintain long-term support for Ukraine or seek a rapid deal to end the war.

His past remarks suggested he could broker peace with Russia “quickly,” sparking speculation that he might pressure Ukraine into making concessions. But this latest statement presents a different tone entirely, one that matches Ukraine’s ambitions instead of undercutting them. Whether this is a genuine shift or a campaign tactic will remain debated.

Reaction in Kyiv and Beyond

For Ukraine, Trump’s comment is a political boost. It strengthens its diplomatic stance that all occupied territories must be recovered and that Western powers should continue providing weapons until that goal is achieved. It also adds pressure on European leaders, many of whom struggle with rising war fatigue among their citizens who worry about energy costs, migration, and economic instability.

In Russia, however, such a statement would likely be dismissed as political posturing. For President Vladimir Putin, giving up captured land is seen as unthinkable, not only because of military control but also because of the political symbolism attached to Crimea and the “new regions” Russia claims to have annexed.

Can Ukraine Truly Reclaim All Its Land?

The central question remains: is Trump’s vision realistic? From a military perspective, retaking every piece of lost land would be an enormous challenge. Crimea, in particular, holds deep strategic and symbolic value for Russia, and Moscow has heavily fortified the peninsula since 2014. Driving Russian forces out completely would require more than courage and determination; it would demand long-term Western investment, stronger coordination, and potentially years of grinding battles.

On the other hand, Ukraine has repeatedly defied expectations. Few believed it could survive the initial invasion in 2022, yet it did. Few thought Kyiv would withstand Russia’s superior firepower, but it pushed back. For Ukrainians, the idea of total liberation is not a dream but a matter of survival, tied closely to their sense of nationhood and independence.