Despite pivoting his stance on Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump continues to prioritize economic interests with Russia, according to former U.S. envoy Kurt Volker. Trump’s recent characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger” was interpreted by Volker as a provocative jab at Russian President Vladimir Putin rather than a sign of renewed support for Ukrainian leadership.
Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy at the UN General Assembly, Trump expressed optimism about Ukraine’s ability to reclaim its territory with European and NATO backing, while criticizing Russia’s economic situation. Volker, who served as Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine during his first term, told Bloomberg that the president’s remarks were a calculated attempt “to get under Putin’s skin” and did not signal a shift in U.S. policy. He emphasized that Trump remains focused on securing a deal with Moscow, framing the rhetoric as a tactic to deflect pressure onto Western allies.
The White House reiterated its stance, describing Trump’s comments as a “negotiating tactic” to counter Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Russia dismissed the remarks, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserting that Moscow is not a “paper tiger” but a resilient power adapting to sanctions and sustaining military operations.
Zelenskiy praised Trump’s statements, claiming they reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine, while Ukrainian opposition MP Aleksey Goncharenko criticized Zelenskiy for misinterpreting the remarks as a commitment. Goncharenko warned that such optimism could lead to further offensives and increased casualties for Ukrainian forces.
