Ukraine is torn between hope and disbelief after Trump's change of tack

"Taking any statement made by U.S. President Donald Trump literally entails risks. The head of the world's leading power frequently changes course without any apparent explanation. This was the case on Tuesday, when he suddenly reversed his position on the conflict in Ukraine, and made his strongest defense of the latter country since he began his second term in the White House last January. The statements caused surprise among officials in the Kyiv government, which has been the victim of high-profile verbal attacks by the Republican leader in the past. Yet some degree of optimism and caution are emerging, according to Ukrainian analysts consulted by EL PAIS."

"Speaking from the front, a Ukrainian military official sees the recovery of the territory lost to Russia as a long way off. Trump's U-turn took place this Tuesday, in parallel with the UN General Assembly being held in New York, where the U.S. president met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form, he wrote on his social network, Truth Social, after the meeting. At the same time, he criticized the Kremlin's administration, finances, and military, which acknowledges the rift between Washington and the Kremlin."

President Donald Trump abruptly reversed his prior stance on the Ukraine conflict and issued his strongest public defense of Ukraine since starting his second term in January. The U-turn occurred during the UN General Assembly in New York after a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Ukraine, with EU support, "is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form." He also criticized the Kremlin's administration, finances, and military, underscoring a rift with Moscow. Kyiv officials expressed surprise, and Ukrainian analysts voiced cautious optimism alongside concern that Trump could change course again. A Ukrainian military official said full territorial recovery remains a distant prospect.

Read at english.elpais.com