Video in front of American generals, Trump told how to ironize Putin: “Do you know, don't you look good. Are you a paper tiger?”

US President Donald Trump offered details on one of his conversations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, during which he suggested that Russia is a “paper tiger”, writes RBC Ukraine.

Trump said once again that he is very disappointed by Putin, because he believes that the Kremlin leader should have put an end to the war against Ukraine.

“I said,” Do you know, don't you look good. For four years you take a war that should last a week. Are you a paper tiger? “, Said the white house, at Quantico, in his speech to American generals and admirals.

🇺🇸 Trump:

“I have a disappointed in the president, I Thought He would this. He was supposed to finish this War in the weekend. pic.twitter.com/qfvgfgvyxz

– Nstrike (@nstrike1231) September 30, 2025

The Ukrainian publication notes that the phrase “paper tiger” usually refers to someone who seems very threatening, but has no real power.

Trump and “paper tiger”

Last week, Trump said, in a post on Social Truth, that Ukraine is capable of returning to the initial borders, with the support of EU and NATO. The message was posted after a meeting that he had with the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, a meeting in which the head of the White House praised the incarnation with which the Ukrainian fighters defend their country.

Thus, Trump has shared in Social Media what seems to be a major change in his position towards the Ukraine war-and what could happen if and when the fights ended.

“After I came to know and fully understand the military and economic situation of Ukraine/Russia and, after seeing the economic problems that cause Russia, I think that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is able to fight and regain the whole Ukraine in its original form. A very realistic option.

Trump claimed that the way the war went shows that Russia seems to be more “a paper tiger” than a great military power.

“Russia has been fighting for three and a half years without a precise purpose in a war that a real military power would have won in less than a week. This does not honor Russia. In fact, it makes it look” a paper tiger “. The long queues that form all the other things that are happening in their war economy, where most of their money is spent to fight Ukraine, which has a great spirit and becomes better, Ukraine could recover its country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even to go!

At the same time, he reiterated the US commitment to provide weapons to NATO so that the Alliance could transfer them to the Ukrainian army.

“Putin and Russia are in a very difficult economic situation, and this is the right time for Ukraine to act. In any case, I wish both countries. We will continue to provide NATO weapons to do what it wants with them.”, Trump concluded.

Kremlin and Kiev's reaction

One day away, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov rejected the American leader and said President Vladimir Putin appreciated Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Peskov stressed that Russia is a bear, not a tiger, and that “there is no paper.”

The Kremlin representative reiterated that the Russian army is making progress in Ukraine, where, according to him, he deliberately advances. “Of course, this is rather a question for our army, but in general – and the president (Putin, no) has repeatedly stated – we advance with great caution to minimize losses … (and) not to undermine our offensive potential. These are very deliberate actions. Poimâine, “said Peskov.

In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski has expressed his satisfaction with the “change of attitude” of his American counterpart Donald Trump in the Ukraine.

“This statement by Donald Trump is a major turning point,” Zelenski said at a press conference.

Donald Trump “clearly understands the situation and is well informed about all aspects of this war,” Zelenski also welcomed a post on social networks.