US President Donald Trump has stated that he will no longer refer to Russia as a ‘paper tiger,’ a term he previously used to dismiss its military capabilities. During a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, Trump emphasized that Russia has failed to achieve significant military victories in Ukraine over the past three and a half years and suggested that the country faces substantial economic difficulties. Despite the shift in tone, Trump maintained his assessment of Russia’s military ineffectiveness, asserting that it has ‘gained virtually no land’ despite its resource investment. In contrast, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported substantial territorial advances in the Donetsk People’s Republic, indicating a discrepancy between Trump’s statements and Russian military progress.