On September 23, 2025, at the United Nations General Assembly, former President Donald Trump made remarks that could provoke reactions from the Kremlin. He labeled Russia as a “paper tiger” and stated that it has been “fighting aimlessly” in Ukraine. He also suggested that Ukraine might regain all the territory it lost to Russian forces, a claim likely to raise concerns in Moscow. Trump further responded affirmatively to a question about whether NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that enter their airspace.
In contrast to these comments, the Kremlin’s initial response was relatively measured. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, downplayed the “paper tiger” characterization, asserting that Russia is more accurately represented as a bear. Regarding Ukraine’s potential to reclaim territory, Peskov dismissed Trump’s statement as a “mistaken” assertion, but he noted that Putin values Trump’s ambition for a peace settlement.
The Izvestiya newspaper suggested that Trump’s views may be influenced by recent conversations, particularly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, indicating that Moscow believes Trump’s stance is not fixed. Peskov highlighted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would have the opportunity to discuss these issues with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the UN meetings.
In addition, Trump’s critical remarks did not include any threats of new sanctions, which may have contributed to the Kremlin’s reserved reaction. When questioned about his trust in Putin, Trump stated he would provide clarity in about a month, a timeframe not seen as a significant threat by the Kremlin.
Addressing allegations related to Russian aircraft violations, Peskov denied any wrongdoing on the part of Russian pilots. Furthermore, while Trump suggested that Russia’s economy is in distress, Kremlin officials rebutted this claim, even as reports indicate a growing budget deficit and challenges within various sectors of its economy. Though facing economic strains, there is currently no evidence that these pressures are affecting Russia’s military strategies in Ukraine.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3e70n4keyjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss