Donald Trump has long been unpredictable on foreign policy — but his latest comments on Ukraine may mark his sharpest turn yet.

After meeting Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly, Trump shifted from ambiguity to outright support, praising Ukraine’s capacity to retake its territory and branding Russia a “paper tiger.” For NATO, he went a step further, calling on allies to shoot down Russian aircraft that trespass into their skies — a stance that delighted countries like Poland but stunned Washington observers.

Moscow wasted no time firing back, rejecting Trump’s remarks and insisting that Russia is not weak, but a “bear.”

What explains this sudden reversal? Analysts point to two possible factors:

• Zelensky’s influence, convincing Trump that Ukraine could achieve victory.
• Trump’s disillusionment with Putin, fueled by claims of dishonesty and broken promises.

For Kyiv, Trump’s words bring hope of broader Western backing. But critics question whether this shift is a lasting strategic commitment or merely political theater, designed to reposition Trump on the global stage.

The implications are significant: if sustained, this change could alter U.S. foreign policy debates, strengthen NATO’s resolve, and shape the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict. But as with many of Trump’s dramatic pivots, the world is left asking: is this a new direction, or just another moment of rhetoric?