Russian nationalists and insiders mocked Trump’s shift, viewing it as Washington retreating from active involvement in international affairs
Moscow
The Kremlin on Wednesday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on the Ukraine war, calling them inaccurate and dismissing claims of Russian weakness. Trump had said Ukraine could retake all occupied territory and urged Kyiv to act, citing Russia’s “big” economic problems.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told RBC radio that Russia’s economy remains stable despite sanctions and that slow advances in Ukraine are a deliberate military strategy, not a sign of failure. “Russia is not a tiger but is more associated with a bear… paper bears don’t exist,” Peskov said, rejecting Trump’s “paper tiger” comment.
Nationalists and political insiders in Russia mocked Trump’s statements, interpreting his sudden shift as a sign of Washington stepping back from active involvement. Konstantin Malofeyev, a nationalist tycoon, said Trump’s remarks signal the U.S. leaving Ukraine to fight Russia alongside Europe, while buying weapons.
Peskov acknowledged Trump’s rhetoric change but said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reaffirm Moscow’s position. He reiterated that Russia’s gradual progress in Ukraine is a carefully planned approach to avoid excessive losses and preserve offensive capability.
Some Russian officials criticised Trump’s rhetoric. Senator Dmitry Rogozin called it undignified, while state media executive Margarita Simonyan likened Trump to a tarot card reader making unrealistic promises to Ukraine.
The Kremlin insists Russia’s strategy and stability remain intact despite the war and external criticism, and it sees Trump’s comments as political posturing. Moscow maintains that the Ukraine conflict will be decided on its own terms, without outside interference.
