An analyst has suggested that Melania Trump played a role in her husband Donald Trump's recent change of stance on the Ukraine-Russia war. Melinda Haring, a Eurasia specialist at the Atlantic Council, told France 24 that the first lady is deeply affected by the issue of Ukrainian children, with Russia having kidnapped more than 20,000 children.
Haring said Melania Trump talks to her husband about Ukrainian children and that her closest friends are Ukrainian Americans. She noted that there are major differences within the Trump camp, with Vice President Vance not supporting Ukraine. 'It's really about who talked to Trump last that President Trump is really influenced by the last person in the room,' Haring added.
After meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Ukraine, with EU support, can 'fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.' This marks a shift from his earlier stance that Zelensky 'doesn't have the cards' and should make territorial concessions.
Zelensky, in a Fox News interview, said he believes Trump now understands that 'we can't just swap territories.' He expressed hope that Trump's attitude would continue. However, Haring cautioned that the change in rhetoric could be temporary, and the key question remains whether the US will continue financial and military support for Ukraine.
