Russia responds to Trump’s ‘paper tiger’ comments

The Kremlin responded on Wednesday to President Trump’s characterization of Russian troops as a “paper tiger,” suggesting that the relationship between Washington and Moscow faces significant challenges.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on Trump’s remarks, shared on social media the day before, where the U.S. president dismissed Russian military capabilities as weak.

The U.S. intelligence agencies have indicated they believe Russia intended to take control of Ukraine in an invasion aimed at finishing within three days in February 2022. Yet, Ukraine’s defenses have managed to stave off Russian advances for over three years.

Peskov firmly stated, “Russia is not a ‘paper tiger,'” during an interview with RBC. He added, “Russia is often compared to bears. There’s no such thing as a ‘paper bear’; Russia is indeed a real bear.”

He also emphasized that attempts to mend Russia-U.S. relations are progressing much slower than desired. Trump previously met with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August, part of his ongoing efforts towards negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine, although he left without a firm commitment from the Russian side.

Peskov noted, “The logjam in our relationship has accumulated over decades. The current U.S. administration is certainly serious, but that hinders progress.”

Trump appears to be making a significant pivot regarding Russia. Following an earlier meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he expressed strong criticism of Russia, which he posted on True Social.

He remarked, “Russia has waged a pointless war for three and a half years. It should not take a true military power a week to achieve victory. This does not set Russia apart; in fact, it makes them appear like a ‘paper tiger.’”

This was a notable statement of support for Ukraine, especially after months where Trump seemed to distance himself from Moscow and strengthen ties with Zelensky.

In his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump reflected, “I thought it would be simple since I’ve had good relations with Putin.” He continued, “Everyone anticipated Russia would win this war quickly, but that has not occurred. What was expected to be a brief conflict has turned out to be much more complex.”

Zelensky commented on Trump’s shift in tone, calling it a “surprise” during an appearance on Fox News that day.

Trump had suggested that giving up parts of Ukraine might facilitate a ceasefire, but Zelensky countered that “everything in Ukraine can be restored to its original state.” He hinted at the need for increased U.S. support, beyond just arms, to solidify Ukraine’s position in NATO.

Zelensky stated, “There are numerous options, with European patience and, crucially, financial support, to return to the original boundaries where this conflict began.”