Kremlin says Trump's Ukraine shift mistaken and swayed by Zelenskiy

 

Why the Kremlin Rejected Donald Trump’s Sudden Shift on Ukraine

In an unexpected twist, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments about the war in Ukraine have sparked strong reactions from Moscow. After meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump declared that Ukraine had a real chance to reclaim its occupied territories and urged Kyiv to act quickly while Russia faced economic struggles. The Kremlin, however, swiftly dismissed his statements, calling them misguided and influenced by Zelensky’s perspective.

Trump’s Flip-Flop on Ukraine

For months, Trump had signaled patience toward Russia and pushed for a fast peace deal. But in a major rhetorical reversal, he announced that Ukraine could “win it all back.” While this sounded like a show of support for Kyiv, many analysts noted that Trump did not pledge new U.S. assistance. Instead, he seemed to shift responsibility toward Ukraine and the European Union, suggesting Washington was stepping back from the lead role.

This sudden change confused both allies and rivals. For Russian nationalists, Trump’s remarks appeared to confirm that America was walking away from direct involvement in the conflict.

The Kremlin’s Response

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed Trump’s optimism for Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, he argued that the U.S. president had clearly been influenced by Zelensky. According to Peskov, the idea that Ukraine could reverse Russian gains was unrealistic, pointing to what he described as steady Russian advances on the battlefield.

“The fact that Ukraine is encouraged to keep fighting and told it can win back territory is, in our view, a mistaken argument,” Peskov said. He stressed that Moscow’s strategy was deliberate, aiming to minimize losses while maintaining offensive potential.

Russia Rejects the “Paper Tiger” Label

Adding to the tension, Trump had described Russia as a “paper tiger.” The Kremlin strongly rejected the term. Peskov responded that Russia was traditionally symbolized by a bear, not a tiger—and that “paper bears” don’t exist. This symbolic pushback highlighted Moscow’s desire to project strength despite mounting international pressure.

Meanwhile, Russia’s economy faces challenges from sanctions. The country’s growth forecast was recently cut from 2.5% to 1%, and the finance ministry has suggested raising taxes to fund military spending. Still, officials insist the overall economic situation remains stable.

Mixed Reactions Inside Russia

Not all Russian voices agreed with the Kremlin’s upbeat narrative. Nationalist senator Dmitry Rogozin admitted that the war had reached a kind of stalemate, with neither side able to secure a major breakthrough. Parity in weapons, training, and morale has left front lines largely frozen.

Others, like conservative businessman Konstantin Malofeyev, saw Trump’s remarks as a hidden advantage for Moscow. He argued that while Trump spoke warmly of Ukraine, the real message was that America was stepping back and leaving Europe to carry the financial burden.

What Comes Next?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to present Moscow’s version of events directly to Washington. According to Peskov, this meeting will give the U.S. “real information” about Russia’s perspective on the war.

For now, the situation underscores the unpredictability of global politics. Trump’s sudden change of tone may have energized Kyiv, but the Kremlin insists the battlefield dynamics remain in its favor. With Russia digging in and Ukraine looking for new momentum, the war continues to shape not only Eastern Europe but also U.S.-Russia relations.