Trump's Ukraine support rejected by Russia, greeted cautiously in Kyiv

President Donald Trump's comments that Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory with European support were welcomed in Kyiv and dismissed in Russia.

KYIV, Ukraine — You'd forgive Ukrainians double-checking their Truth Social feeds.

There was a mix of astonishment and reservation in Kyiv on Wednesday — contrasted with bitter dismissal and some mocking defiance in Moscow — after President Donald Trump said Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory, a dramatic change in rhetoric on the war.

The Kremlin rejected Trump’s description of Russia as a “paper tiger,” saying its military was advancing and its economy stable rather than suffering "big" problems as the president suggested. But in Ukraine, the sudden reversal was greeted cautiously as a welcome shift from the U.S. leader that still left much to be answered.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted that giving up territory to Russia in a peace deal was not an option, and hailed the “big shift” in Trump’s position after meeting with him in New York.

"Of course, we are doing everything to make sure Europe really helps, and of course we count on the United States," he told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, while expressing his appreciation for the support.