The shift in U. S. President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine is seen as an attempt to put pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Politico reported, citing European sources.

According to the publication, Trump’s post could be little more than a provocation aimed at Putin, unlikely to bring any real changes to U.S. policy.

In Brussels, officials and diplomats admitted that the American president’s rhetoric is highly inconsistent. They noted that Trump’s statements often change from one day to the next. A political ally of French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked that what Trump says on Monday can be entirely different from his position on Tuesday.

During his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump declared that Washington was ready to impose a tough package of tariffs against Russia — but only if the European Union introduced similar measures.

He also suggested that with EU backing, Ukraine might not only reclaim lost territories but potentially achieve even more.