In an unexpected rhetorical shift, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, stating that his counterpart is doing “quite well” in navigating the brutal, ongoing war with Russia.
“He’s holding on,” Trump told reporters during a press conference at the White House, using supportive language that marks a noticeable departure from his historically critical stance on Washington’s financial and military aid to Kyiv.
The G7 Turnaround in Evian
Trump’s remarks follow what diplomats are calling an abrupt, pro-Kyiv policy pivot executed during last week’s G7 Summit in Evian, France.
The Republican president—who continues to openly tout his strong personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin—engaged in a lengthy, high-stakes trilateral meeting in Evian alongside Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron.
U.S. Foreign Policy Pivot Tracker (June 2026):
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Previous Position --> High skepticism of aid; transactional stance toward Kyiv.
The Evian Pivot --> Trilateral strategic talks with Zelensky and Macron at G7.
Current Rhetoric --> White House press corps validation of Zelensky's resilience.
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Macron Hails a “Fundamental Shift”
The diplomatic breakthrough was highly praised by European allies, who have spent months worrying about the longevity of transatlantic security guarantees.
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the Evian G7 summit a total “success,” specifically highlighting the outcomes for Ukraine’s defense posture. Macron noted that observers had witnessed a “very fundamental shift in approach” from Trump, signaling a potential stabilization of American support for Ukraine’s war effort moving into the second half of 2026.
