The Kremlin has responded sharply to U.S. President Donald Trump’s sudden shift in rhetoric toward Ukraine, declaring that Russia now sees “no alternative” but to continue waging war.
Trump’s pivot came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, during which Trump posted that Ukraine was “in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.” He also called Russia a “paper tiger,” criticizing Moscow’s military campaign as aimless and ineffective.
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected Trump’s comments, asserting that Russia would press on with its offensive “to ensure our interests and achieve the goals.” He also dismissed the notion that Ukraine could recapture territory held by Moscow, calling such ideas “mistaken.”
Peskov further derided the prior rapprochement efforts between the U.S. and Russia, saying they had yielded “close to zero” results. Meanwhile, as Russia prepares to extend the war, tensions are rising across Europe. Several NATO countries have reported airspace violations by Russian aircraft and drones, heightening fears of broader spillover.
On the economic front, Russia’s finance ministry is proposing to increase the value-added tax from 20 % to 22 % to bolster defense and security funding amid an anticipated slowdown in growth.
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