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The Trump administration signaled a dramatic shift in its approach to the Ukraine conflict Wednesday, with Vice President JD Vance warning that President Donald Trump is "growing incredibly impatient" with Moscow after diplomatic efforts to end the war have faltered.
The tougher stance represents a stark departure from Trump's previous positions on the conflict. At the United Nations on Tuesday, Trump suggested Ukraine could not only reclaim all territory lost to Russian forces but potentially "maybe even go further than that" — a dramatic reversal from his earlier assertions that Ukraine would not recover vast swaths of Russian-occupied land.
"He doesn't feel like they're putting enough on the table to end the war," Vance said during remarks in North Carolina, referring to Russian negotiating positions. "If the Russians refuse to negotiate in good faith, I think it's going to be very, very bad for their country."
The shift comes amid growing frustration within the administration over stalled peace talks and follows a recent meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska just weeks ago.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration's hardening position during a tense encounter with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York on Wednesday. Rubio called for the "killing to stop" and demanded Moscow "take meaningful steps toward a durable resolution," according to diplomatic sources.
Lavrov pushed back forcefully, stressing "the unacceptability of the schemes promoted by Kyiv and some European capitals aimed at prolonging the conflict," according to a Russian readout of their meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Trump's apparent policy reversal but used his address to the UN General Assembly to highlight broader concerns about international security mechanisms. "Because international institutions are too weak, this madness continues," Zelenskyy said. "Even being part of the long-standing military alliance doesn't automatically mean you are safe."
The Ukrainian leader, who described having a "good meeting" with Trump despite past tensions, emphasized his country's continued reliance on Western support. "Of course we are doing everything to make sure Europe truly helps and of course, we count on the United States," he said.
Zelensky also warned of expanding Russian influence in Eastern Europe, expressing alarm that Moldova could follow Belarus and Georgia into Moscow's sphere of control. "Russia's trying to do to Moldova what Iran once did to Lebanon and the global response again, (is) not enough," he told the General Assembly.
Moldova faces a critical presidential election Sunday, with pro-European Union President Maia Sandu confronting what analysts describe as an unprecedented campaign of Russian disinformation, including deepfake videos.
Beyond traditional geopolitical concerns, Zelenskyy highlighted the evolving nature of modern warfare, warning that the world is experiencing "the most destructive arms race in human history, because this time it includes artificial intelligence." He pointed to the development of autonomous drones capable of targeting other aircraft and critical infrastructure as a particular concern.
Ukraine has been forced to develop long-range drone capabilities out of necessity, Zelenskyy noted. "Ukraine doesn't have the big fat missiles dictators love to show off in parades, but we do have drones that can fly up to 2,000, 3,000 kilometers," he said. "We had no choice but to build them to protect our right to life."
The administration's policy evolution reflects the complex dynamics Trump has navigated on Ukraine since taking office. He previously ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine and had criticized Zelenskyy during a February White House encounter before relations appeared to improve.
Trump's suggestion that Ukraine could succeed "with support from the European Union and NATO" marks a significant departure from his earlier skepticism about the country's prospects for territorial recovery, signaling what could be a more confrontational approach toward Russia in the months ahead.
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