U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stirred the international conversation on the war in Ukraine, expressing fresh doubt about Kyiv’s prospects for victory as he prepares for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking on October 20, 2025, Trump told reporters, “They could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it,” according to the Associated Press. This latest remark adds a new layer of uncertainty to the already complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict, as Trump’s shifting positions have left both allies and adversaries guessing about the future direction of U.S. policy.
The comments came during a White House meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, just days after Trump held a lengthy call with Putin and met in person with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump’s assessment—while acknowledging the possibility of a Ukrainian victory—was laced with skepticism. He elaborated, “I never said they would win it. I said they could. Anything can happen. You know war is a very strange thing.” This frank admission, reported by CTV News and other outlets, underscores the unpredictable nature of the conflict, even as diplomatic efforts intensify.
Trump’s evolving stance on Ukraine’s chances is nothing new. Last month, he reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to concede land, instead suggesting that Ukraine could reclaim all territory lost to Russia. However, following his recent conversations with both Putin and Zelenskyy, Trump shifted again, advocating for a halt to hostilities and a freeze of the conflict along the current front line. According to AP News, he called on Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” and seek an end to the brutal war.
For Zelenskyy, the latest White House meeting was a diplomatic tightrope. Despite Trump’s refusal to provide long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles—an ask that had previously seemed possible—Zelenskyy described the encounter as “positive.” He explained that Trump’s reluctance to send the advanced missile system, at least for now, likely stemmed from a desire to avoid escalating tensions with Russia ahead of the upcoming talks with Putin. “In my opinion, he does not want an escalation with the Russians until he meets with them,” Zelenskyy told reporters, as reported by the Associated Press. Zelenskyy’s comments were embargoed until Monday morning, adding an air of anticipation to the unfolding diplomatic drama.
Yet, the Ukrainian president remains wary of the terms being discussed. Putin’s latest proposal reportedly involves a territorial swap—some areas in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions would be exchanged if Ukraine surrendered the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively known as the Donbas. Zelenskyy, however, expressed skepticism about the clarity and fairness of Putin’s offer. He also noted that Trump had ultimately supported freezing the conflict along the current front line, a stance that could solidify the status quo but leave significant swaths of Ukrainian territory under Russian control.
Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook. “We share President Trump’s positive outlook if it leads to the end of the war,” he remarked, highlighting the extensive discussions he and his team had with Trump—over two hours, by his account. The Ukrainian leader was diplomatic about the pressure he reportedly faced to accept Putin’s demands, even as he alluded to the tense Oval Office spat on February 28, when he was publicly admonished for not expressing enough gratitude for U.S. support.
Looking ahead, Trump is set to meet with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks. The choice of venue is itself significant: Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has consistently opposed Ukraine’s interests within the European Union and NATO. Zelenskyy, who has not been invited to the talks, said he would consider attending only if the format was “fair to Kyiv.” He also took a pointed jab at Orban, stating he does not believe that a prime minister “who blocks Ukraine everywhere can do anything positive for Ukrainians or even provide a balanced contribution.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military needs remain acute. Kyiv is seeking to purchase 25 Patriot air defense systems from U.S. firms, hoping to use frozen Russian assets and assistance from international partners to facilitate the deal. However, Zelenskyy acknowledged that securing these systems would take time, citing long production waits. He said he discussed with Trump the possibility of expediting procurement, potentially through European intermediaries.
Beyond the battlefield, economic cooperation was also on the agenda. According to Zelenskyy, the United States has expressed interest in bilateral gas projects with Ukraine, including the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the southern port city of Odesa. Other potential areas of collaboration include nuclear energy and oil, signaling a broader strategic partnership that could endure beyond the current crisis.
Trump’s upcoming meeting with Putin is being closely watched by all parties. Zelenskyy voiced hope that the talks in Hungary could pave the way for a peace deal, even as he acknowledged the formidable diplomatic obstacles ahead. “That doesn’t mean it will definitely end, but President Trump has achieved a lot in the Middle East, and riding that wave he wants to end Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy told the press, as cited by the Associated Press.
Trump’s own words reflect both the gravity and unpredictability of the moment. “War is a very strange thing,” he mused, reiterating that while Ukraine could still win, he does not believe it is likely. This measured pessimism, coupled with his history of shifting positions on the conflict, has left policymakers in Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington on edge as they await the outcome of the Budapest summit.
As the world watches and waits, the fate of Ukraine—and the broader balance of power in Europe—hangs in the balance. Trump’s next moves, and the results of his face-to-face with Putin, could shape the trajectory of the war for months or even years to come.
For now, the only certainty is uncertainty itself. In war, as Trump reminded the world, “anything can happen.”
