Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired back at US President Donald Trump, who recently called Russia a “paper tiger.” Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin also warned the United States that supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine could trigger a dangerous new escalation.
Putin emphasized that Russian forces are advancing along the entire front in Ukraine, claiming that nearly all of NATO is now actively opposing Russia in the ongoing conflict. He challenged the notion of NATO’s strength:
If we are fighting with the entire NATO bloc, advancing, and we are a ‘paper tiger,’ then what is NATO itself
The Russian leader also mocked European claims that Russian drones had violated NATO airspace, joking that he did not have drones capable of reaching Lisbon and promising not to repeat incursions in Denmark.
Putin took a more serious tone regarding potential US support for Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles:
It is impossible to use Tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel. This will trigger a completely new, qualitatively escalated stage, including in relations between Russia and the United States.
So far, the US has not officially decided on providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
On NATO and European reactions
Putin criticized NATO members for providing Ukraine with intelligence, weapons, and training while stoking fears of a Russian attack on alliance members. He called such concerns “impossible to believe” and urged NATO to focus on its own problems.
Cool down, sleep calmly, and take care of your own problems. Just take a look at what’s happening on the streets of European cities,” he said
Putin also highlighted Ukraine’s manpower shortages and desertions while claiming Russia has sufficient soldiers. He suggested Kyiv negotiate an end to the conflict. According to him, Russian forces control:
Almost all of Luhansk province
About 81% of Donetsk region
Approximately 75% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions
Russia’s war in Ukraine remains Europe’s deadliest since World War II.
Western leaders and Ukraine describe Russia’s actions as imperialistic and a threat to regional security.NATO has bolstered its eastern flank following alleged Russian incursions.
Putin portrays the conflict as a pivotal moment in Russia-West relations, criticizing NATO expansion since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union and framing the war as a defense of Russia’s strategic influence.
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