US President Donald Trump has renounced his previous characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger,” following a contentious social media post where he claimed Moscow had failed to defeat Ukraine after 3.5 years of war and faced severe economic struggles.

During a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, Trump emphasized he would no longer label any nation a “paper tiger.” However, he reiterated his assertion that Russian forces had made minimal territorial gains despite significant resource expenditures. This contradicted recent statements from Russia’s Defense Ministry, which reported capturing 4,700 square kilometers and 205 settlements in the Donetsk People’s Republic this year.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Trump’s remarks, joking that Russia was “more like a bear” and rejecting the notion of a “paper bear.” He acknowledged challenges in the Russian economy but highlighted its resilience amid Western sanctions. Recent data shows growth slowing to 2.5% this year, down from 4.3% in 2024.

The White House has described Trump’s comments as a potential diplomatic strategy to encourage negotiations with Moscow. Since taking office, the administration has pursued dialogue with Russian officials, including a summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August.