US President Donald Trump has shifted sharply in tone on the war in Ukraine, declaring that Kyiv, with NATO and European support, can reclaim all land seized by Russia since the 2022 invasion. The comments, delivered around the United Nations General Assembly after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, represent one of Trump’s strongest endorsements of Ukraine’s war aims to date.
Calling Russia a “paper tiger,” Trump argued that Moscow is weakened economically and unable to sustain long-term gains on the battlefield. He urged NATO allies to take a tougher line, even suggesting the alliance should be prepared to shoot down Russian aircraft violating its airspace.
The remarks stand in stark contrast to Trump’s previous suggestions that Ukraine might need to accept territorial losses as part of a negotiated settlement. Zelenskyy, who has lobbied world leaders for firmer commitments, welcomed Trump’s comments and praised him as “well informed” following their talks.
Moscow reacted with open disdain. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected Trump’s description of Russia as fragile, countering that “Russia is not a tiger … there is no such thing as a paper bear.” He also downplayed Trump’s rhetoric, suggesting his remarks were influenced by Zelenskyy’s appeals at the UN.
Other Russian officials and media figures took a more mocking tone. Former president Dmitry Medvedev derided Trump as inconsistent, while state broadcaster RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan likened his statements to a psychic giving false promises.
Despite the sharp rebuttals, Russian officials left the door open to continued communication, hinting that they still expect Trump to favor negotiations in the future.
Trump’s sudden pivot injects new uncertainty into Western policy debates. European leaders, while welcoming a firmer American stance, remain cautious given Trump’s record of shifting positions. For Ukraine, the endorsement offers a boost in morale, but analysts warn it remains unclear whether the rhetoric will translate into additional U.S. military aid or direct strategic commitments.
Russia, meanwhile, is determined to counter any perception of weakness. Its insistence on the “bear” metaphor underscores how central strength and resilience remain to the Kremlin’s messaging.
For now, Trump’s declaration signals a more confrontational tone toward Moscow, even as the realities on the battlefield continue to test whether Ukraine can achieve the total victory he now envisions.
