President Donald Trump's announcement on Tuesday that Ukraine should "take back their Country in its original form" had some analysts skeptical about the president's true intentions.
Trump threw his support behind Ukraine in its war against Russia in a Truth Social post on Tuesday afternoon. He said that Ukraine has shows "Great Spirit" in the war and that the U.S. is prepared to continue supplying Ukraine and NATO with the weapons it needs to fight back against Russia's aggression.
"Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act," the post reads in part. "In any event, I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them."
The announcement marks a significant shift in Trump's policy stance towards Russia's war in Ukraine, according to multiple analysts who responded to Trump's claims on social media.
"Lots true in this Trump post, such as on Ukraine’s military again surpassing expectations on the ground and on the severe problems facing Russia’s economy," journalist Alex Wickham posted on X. "But the repeated references to Europe will do little to change the concern among many that he is effectively walking away."
"President Trump is delusional. Without stronger US support, which Trump has refused to provide, Ukraine will die a slow death," Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) posted on X. "Make no mistake: Trump is siding with Putin’s dictatorship over Ukraine’s democracy."
"I suppose it's an improvement that Trump's rhetoric has moved from siding with Russia to Europe's position of Ukraine winning... while still doing nothing," Garry Kasparov posted on X. "Remember when Trump was "frustrated" with Putin and everyone got excited about a tough new US line? How many times now?"
"Wish people would stop saying Trump has done a U-turn on Ukraine," journalist Edward Luce posted on X. "He does this every few weeks. Putin then makes a violent point of ignoring him. Trump's alleged change of heart is just a prelude to his next humiliation by Putin."
"Nine months in, Trump with a full 180 on Ukraine policy. As of today. Could change," political strategist Ian Bremmer posted on X.