The statement, reported widely by sources including the BBC and NPR, represents a major shift from his previous positions on the conflict. For the first time, as noted by the New York Post, the president has expressed confidence that Kyiv can fully repulse the three-and-a-half-year-old invasion and restore its original borders.

The scope of this potential victory, as outlined by President Trump, is comprehensive. He suggested that Ukraine could "win all of Ukraine back in its original form," which includes reclaiming all territory lost to Russia. This isn't just about recent gains, but as NPR highlighted, could even include territory "long held by Russia." Adding weight to his assertion, Trump reportedly referred to the Russian army as a "paper tiger," signaling a newfound belief in Ukraine's military capabilities and Russia's vulnerabilities.

This change in rhetoric is being interpreted as a notable development in the administration's stance. Politico framed the comments as "backing away from Russia," while Reuters emphasized that "Trump now says Ukraine can win." The statement is being called one of his strongest on the war to date, representing a clear departure from past suggestions that Ukraine might need to negotiate a settlement that could involve ceding territory.

The news of the president's updated position has dominated headlines, with outlets from Axios to The Guardian covering the dramatic shift. As the world digests this new declaration, the implications for US policy and international support for Kyiv are being closely watched. President Trump's clear statement that Ukraine "can win" and "regain lost land" has reset expectations and introduced a new, more optimistic official outlook on the outcome of the war.

Partnership

I use ProtonVPN with Proton Unlimited to secure my digital footprint. With no-logs policy, end-to-end encryption, and Swiss privacy, it keeps me safe online.

Benefits I love:

• Proton Sentinel: AI-powered protection against suspicious logins.
• Fast, Global Access: 12,000+ servers in 120+ countries for seamless streaming.
• NetShield: Blocks ads and malware.
• All-in-One: Includes Proton Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass with 500GB storage.

Trust ProtonVPN like I do!

Give it a try!

Other News

A flurry of recent developments highlights a world grappling with significant geopolitical shifts, rapid military modernization, and contentious political discourse. From President Trump's evolving foreign policy stances to the Pentagon's focus on next-generation warfare, here is a summary of key events.

The White House & The World Stage

President Trump’s recent activities have captured global attention. In a notable shift praised by GOP foreign policy hawks, Trump now believes Ukraine can win the war against Russia and reclaim its territory. After a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, he cited Russia’s economic issues as a key factor, a departure from his previous stance urging concessions (Axios). Furthering this, congressional leaders are pursuing bipartisan sanctions against Russia, and Trump has expressed a desire for NATO to act first (Axios). He also suggested NATO allies should intercept and shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace (Insider Paper).

During addresses at the United Nations, Trump criticized efforts to recognize a Palestinian state and called for the release of hostages (Reuters) and told world leaders their countries are "going to hell" (Reuters). In a separate UN speech, he called climate change awareness a "con job" and a "scam," having initiated the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement (Axios).

Domestically, a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that Trump's approval rating has fallen, with the decline attributed to Americans' concerns about the economy (Reuters/Ipsos). Economic anxieties were amplified as Wall Street indexes closed lower after US Fed chief Jerome Powell warned that cutting interest rates too aggressively risks leaving inflation elevated (Insider Paper). Concerns over a potential government shutdown are also rising after President Trump canceled a meeting with top Democrats to negotiate funding (Axios).

In other news, Ryan Ruth was found guilty of attempted assassination in a plot to kill Trump at his Florida golf club (Reuters).

Global Hotspots and Diplomatic Maneuvers

The international community is closely watching several conflicts. In the Middle East, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated she is open to recognizing a Palestinian state if Hamas releases all hostages and is removed from government (Insider Paper). Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei declared that Iran will not yield to demands to stop its uranium enrichment program (Insider Paper). Tensions were highlighted during an Iranian barrage on Israel, where a U.S. F-15E, out of missiles, made a failed attempt to down a kamikaze drone using a laser-guided bomb, underscoring the growing threat from unmanned aircraft (The War Zone).

In Europe, NATO has warned Russia to halt escalatory actions following an Estonian airspace violation (Reuters), and police in Norway are investigating an explosion in central Oslo (Reuters).

In a security development in New York, the U.S. Secret Service dismantled a network of over 100,000 SIM cards linked to "nation-state" actors that could have potentially crashed the city's telecom network ahead of the UN General Assembly (Insider Paper).

The Future of Defense: Technology and Reform

The U.S. military is undergoing significant transformation. This year, the Space Force will release "The Future Operating Environment," a document predicting threats through 2040 to guide technology acquisition and mission priorities (Defense One). Officials report being ahead in acquisition reform, integrating operations and R&D to accelerate procurement (Defense One). However, a planned alternate-GPS capability is now uncertain as the Space Force reconsiders its Tranche 3 Transport Layer satellites (Breaking Defense).

The Air Force is advancing its autonomous capabilities, selecting RTX and Shield AI to provide software for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone wingmen program (Breaking Defense). Raytheon (RTX) also unveiled the new APG-82(V)X radar for the F-15EX, featuring technology that boosts range, processing speed, and electronic warfare capabilities (The War Zone). Meanwhile, Embraer continues to pitch its versatile KC-390 Millennium tanker/transport to the USAF (The War Zone). The Sentinel ICBM program, replacing the Minuteman III, is also moving forward, with officials pledging it will be fully operational before 2050 (Breaking Defense).

The Navy is planning a competitive solicitation for its Future X-Band Radar (FXR) to replace the AN/SPQ-9B for detecting missile threats (Breaking Defense). Navy CNO Adm. Lisa Franchetti outlined efforts to boost readiness through enhanced training and new maintenance facilities (Military Times). The Army is also focused on retention, offering a $1,550 monthly bonus to senior warrant officers to keep technical experts in the force (Task & Purpose).

Across the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth terminated the 75-year-old Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), citing a "divisive agenda" and emphasizing a shift toward "sex-neutral standards" (Military Times). To accelerate technology fielding, CENTCOM established the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force to deliver combat-ready tech, like drones, to troops within 60 days (Defense News).

Societal Issues and Other Developments

Claims by President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linking vaccines or Tylenol to autism, despite conflicting scientific evidence, have been criticized by people with autism and their advocates. They argue that such rhetoric fosters stigma and marginalizes them, hindering efforts for societal inclusion and accommodation (Axios).

In space exploration, NASA's Artemis 2 mission remains on track to send astronauts to orbit the Moon, with a target of early 2026 (Insider Paper). And in a somber note, Tunisian-born Italian cinema star Claudia Cardinale has died at age 87 (Reuters).

Today's VA Mortgage Rates

15-Year VA Loan Rates:

• 4.750% (Navy Federal Credit Union)

30-Year VA Loan Rates:

• 5.500% (Veterans United Home Loans)
• 6.59% (Bankrate)

If you enjoy my content, please follow me on Social Media and consider sharing this content with your friends! Thank you so much for reading today's article!

𝕏 / Threads / Facebook / Instagram

Wan't to leave a comment? Post it in the Community Forums!

Views are solely those of That Smoke Pit Veteran, not reflecting the U.S. Government or Defense / War Department's stance, policies, or endorsements. Content is for informational & entertainment purposes only, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government.