Russia issues chilling five-word response to Trump's Ukraine War threat

 

Kremlin Fires Back at Donald Trump: “Russia Is a Real Bear”

The Russia-Ukraine war has once again taken center stage after former U.S. President Donald Trump surprised many by declaring that Ukraine could retake all its lost territory from Russia. His remarks, made after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly, have sparked a sharp response from Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Trump’s words as misguided and delivered a striking rebuttal: “Russia is a real bear.”

Trump’s Surprising Shift on Ukraine

For months, Donald Trump has often described himself as a potential peacemaker in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Yet, his tone shifted dramatically after meeting Zelensky in New York. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Ukraine’s “great spirit” and argued that Moscow’s failure to secure a quick victory revealed its weaknesses.

He went further by calling Russia a “paper tiger,” suggesting that its military power is more fragile than it appears. Trump pointed to Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian oil facilities—attacks that have caused fuel shortages and price spikes inside Russia—as proof of its vulnerabilities. He even urged global powers like China, India, and EU nations to stop buying Russian oil, arguing that such a move would cripple Moscow’s war machine.

Peskov Rejects Trump’s “Paper Tiger” Remark

The Kremlin wasted no time in firing back. Speaking to RBC Radio, Dmitry Peskov claimed Trump had been unduly influenced by Zelensky’s perspective during their meeting. He insisted that Russia’s so-called “special military operation” would continue with no alternative course.

On Trump’s “paper tiger” jibe, Peskov responded with a pointed metaphor. “Russia is hardly a tiger,” he said. “It’s more often associated with a bear. And there’s no such thing as a paper bear. Russia is a real bear.”

The imagery was deliberate. The “Russian bear” has been a powerful political symbol for centuries, often representing strength, endurance, and unpredictability. By invoking it, Peskov was not only rejecting Trump’s criticism but also sending a message about Moscow’s determination to remain a global power.

Historical Weight of the Russian Bear

The bear has long been tied to Russia’s image in global politics. As early as the 16th century, European artists and writers depicted Russia as a bear—powerful but often aggressive. In the 19th century, British cartoons used the same imagery to portray Russia as an expansionist threat.

Even Winston Churchill used the metaphor during World War II, recalling in his memoirs how he sat at the 1945 Potsdam Conference “with the great Russian bear on one side and the American buffalo on the other.” For Moscow, the symbol reinforces resilience and national pride. Peskov’s words tapped directly into this history, signaling that Russia will not accept being seen as weak.

Trump’s Oil Embargo Proposal

Trump’s remarks also touched on global energy markets. He urged world powers to cut off Russian oil, but Peskov accused him of pursuing self-interest rather than genuine diplomacy. According to Peskov, the proposal was less about punishing Moscow and more about boosting American oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

“The simplest thing,” Peskov claimed, “is to force the whole world to buy more expensive American oil without any complex negotiations.”

This accusation reflects Moscow’s long-standing narrative that Washington exploits global crises for economic gain—a claim that resonates with some of Russia’s allies.

What This Means for the War

While Trump’s comments signal a tougher rhetorical stance on Russia, he still avoids directly blaming Vladimir Putin for launching the war. When asked whether Putin could be trusted in negotiations, Trump only replied: “I’ll let you know in a month.”

For now, his words have given Kyiv encouragement, but they also highlight how the conflict continues to shape international politics. Moscow’s quick and symbolic rebuttal shows that Russia remains determined to project strength, even as the war drags into its fourth year.