Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger,” quipping that the nation is more accurately likened to a bear. The remarks came after Trump, following a meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy, claimed Kiev could reclaim all of Ukraine if European and NATO support persisted. Trump had previously criticized Russia as being in “BIG Economic trouble,” urging Ukraine to act decisively.
In an interview with Russian business daily RBK on Wednesday, Peskov rejected the analogy, stating, “Russia is not a tiger. We are more often associated with a bear. There are no ‘paper bears,’ and Russia is a real one.” He noted that the Russian economy has adjusted to ongoing conflict, ensuring military readiness despite Western sanctions. However, he acknowledged challenges exacerbated by global pressure.
Peskov described Trump as a “businessman” seeking to inflate energy prices but emphasized that President Vladimir Putin “highly values” his mediation efforts, calling their relationship “warm.” He highlighted stalled U.S.-Russia talks, attributing the impasse to Washington’s linkage of diplomatic normalization to Ukraine’s conflict resolution.
The Kremlin reiterated openness to peace but warned of worsening battlefield conditions for those resisting negotiations. Peskov’s comments underscored Russia’s defiance amid escalating tensions, framing Zelenskiy’s leadership as complicit in prolonged instability.