On Wednesday, the Kremlin responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's comments from the previous day, where he labeled Russia a "paper tiger" regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Russian administration firmly rejected this metaphor, emphasizing the historical symbolism of Russia as a bear.
"Russia is by no means a tiger. Generally, Russia is associated with a bear. There are no paper bears, and Russia is a genuine bear," stated Dmitri Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, during an interview with RBC radio station.
Peskov's remarks were aimed at countering Trump's post on his social media platform, Truth Social. In his message, Trump claimed that Moscow has been "floundering in a directionless war for three and a half years," a conflict that a true military powerhouse should have concluded in less than a week. Trump suggested that this performance makes Russia appear to be a "paper tiger," weakened by sanctions and facing escalating economic issues.
The Kremlin's spokesperson dismissed this assessment, asserting that Russia's military operations in Ukraine are following a deliberate strategy. "President Putin has repeatedly explained that the Russian military advances cautiously to minimize casualties. These are very calculated actions. It is better to extend the timeframe than to rush and increase the number of fatalities," Peskov explained.
Addressing Trump's comments on the potential for Ukraine to reclaim its territory with the support of Europe and NATO, Peskov argued that the battlefield realities contradict such forecasts. "The dynamics on the front line clearly demonstrate to everyone, even to those with minimal expertise, the true state of affairs. Our troops are making steady progress across the front, and Ukraine's Armed Forces are suffering significant losses," he stated.
Additionally, Peskov warned that time is not on the side of those unwilling to negotiate with Moscow. "For those who refuse to engage in talks today, the situation will only worsen tomorrow and the day after," he cautioned, suggesting that Russia does not foresee an immediate ceasefire or concessions.
Peskov's comments reflect the Kremlin's discomfort with Trump's shift in stance, as the U.S. President recently expressed explicit support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. On Tuesday, Trump asserted that Ukraine possesses "great spirit" and, with European financial backing, can reclaim its original borders and potentially achieve even more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Why did Trump call Russia a "paper tiger"?
Trump used the term "paper tiger" to describe Russia's military performance in Ukraine, suggesting that despite being a superpower, Russia has failed to achieve its objectives swiftly and has been weakened by international sanctions.
How did the Kremlin respond to Trump's comments?
The Kremlin refuted Trump's characterization by asserting Russia's historical association with the bear, a symbol of strength, and emphasized that their military strategy in Ukraine is deliberate and cautious to minimize casualties.
What is the current stance of the Kremlin regarding negotiations?
The Kremlin has indicated that those opposing negotiations with Moscow will face increasingly difficult circumstances, hinting that Russia is not considering an immediate ceasefire or concessions.