US President Donald Trump’s declaration that Ukraine can reclaim all of its original territory marks one of the most striking ~ and bizarre ~ reversals of his presidency. For months he signaled that any settlement of the war would require Kyiv to surrender land to Russia. Now he speaks of a full restoration of Ukraine’s borders and even hints at possibilities beyond them.

The statement, delivered after talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskky, suggests that Mr Trump sees a fleeting moment of opportunity ~ political, military, and economic ~ to pressure Moscow. The timing is telling. Russia’s economy is showing strain from years of sanctions, with key sectors squeezed and financial reserves thinning. Even as the Kremlin insists it remains resilient, signs of tension are evident. Mr Trump, ever attuned to leverage, now calls Russia a “paper tiger,” framing it as weaker than its bluster........

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