Trump's Sudden About-Face
- 9.07.2026, 12:23
Good news for Ukraine and NATO countries.
The abrupt shift in rhetoric by U.S. President Donald Trump during the NATO summit in Ankara—from his previous criticism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his willingness to allow Ukraine to manufacture American weapons—became one of the main events of the Alliance leaders’ meeting.
According to Financial Times, following the 36th NATO summit, which took place on July 7–8, the U.S. leader’s new stance has sparked cautious optimism among European allies. They hope that Washington might reconsider its approach and step up its support for Ukraine.
One unnamed NATO diplomat noted that Trump’s attitude may have shifted in light of recent events: “Trump likes winners. And Ukraine has recently begun to win.”
According to the publication, the U.S. president’s mood during the summit fluctuated throughout the day. One factor may have been the support from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who stated that Trump’s leadership is helping to transform the Alliance.
As the FT notes, Turkish President Recep Erdogan also played a role. At a closed-door meeting attended by 32 NATO leaders, he presented those present with commemorative revolvers featuring monograms and ammunition. Trump himself, following the talks, spoke of the “immense love” that filled the room.
However, the most notable moment for the European delegations was Trump’s positive remarks regarding Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This stood in stark contrast to a tense meeting at the White House in February 2025, when the Ukrainian president was publicly criticized for a lack of gratitude and for not having any “trump cards.”
“It’s hard to believe, really, from the Oval Office to today… I think we’ve developed a very good relationship,” Trump said, addressing Zelenskyy.
The American leader also expressed confidence that these developments could mark the “beginning” of a new phase, stating that Ukraine has a “great future” ahead of it.
In addition, Washington is considering granting Kyiv a license to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles, which are a crucial element in Ukraine’s defense against Russian air attacks.
Orysia Lutsevych, Deputy Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at Chatham House , believes that such a move could alter the Russian leadership’s calculations and increase pressure on Moscow.
“It is precisely Ukraine’s access to U.S. military capabilities on a large scale that truly frightens Russia,” she said.
Western officials told the FT that they hope for a long-term shift in the U.S. stance toward Ukraine and increased pressure on Russia. According to one official, Trump has made it clear that Washington continues to support Kyiv and is considering additional aid measures to improve Ukraine’s situation on the battlefield.