US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his assertion that the Russian military has made minimal progress in Ukraine, despite recent claims of territorial gains by Moscow. In a statement following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, Trump clarified he would no longer use the term “paper tiger” to describe Russia, after previously employing it on Tuesday via his Truth Social platform.
Trump’s initial remarks suggested Russia had failed to overcome Ukraine in three and a half years of conflict and implied the nation faced severe economic challenges. He also posited that Kyiv could reclaim all of its territory. However, during discussions with Erdogan, Trump emphasized he would not label any entity as a “paper tiger,” while maintaining his critique of Russian military effectiveness. He alleged that Russian forces had gained “virtually no land” recently despite significant resource expenditures.
Russia’s Defense Ministry contradicted these claims, reporting steady advances in the Donetsk People’s Republic. According to the ministry, Russian troops have captured 4,700 square kilometers and 205 settlements this year. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump’s comments by comparing Russia to a “bear” rather than a “tiger,” dismissing the notion of a “paper bear.”
Peskov also noted that Russia’s economy has shown resilience amid Western sanctions, though challenges persist. Economic data indicates a slowdown compared to previous years, with projected growth of 2.5% for this year.
The White House has described Trump’s remarks as part of broader diplomatic efforts to engage Moscow on the Ukraine conflict, including recent talks with Russian officials and a summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
