December 13, 2025

Athens News

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“Paper Tiger” and “Tomagavka”. What do Putin’s statements at the Valla forum mean?


Vladimir Putin He performed at the annual Valdai forumhaving made a number of statements that experts have already called an important signal and For Washington, and for Brussels.

Although the general theses of the Russian leader repeated their former positions – about the multipolarity of the world, the role of Russia and the Ukrainian crisis – some accents were new.

Softness in relation to Trump

Putin carefully commented on stiff rhetoric Donald Trumpwho in recent weeks allowed himself sharp expressions to Moscow, calling Russia “paper tiger“. The Russian president, however, continued to talk about him with restraint and emphasized that Moscow is open for dialogue in UkraineIf the United States is ready for a “reasonable discussion”.

“Russia is not going to attack Europe”

A separate block of speech was dedicated “Demor threat“, Which is scared by Europeans. Putin said that rumors about the plans of Russia’s attack on Europe are “nonsense“, Invented in order to justify Growth of military expenses and distract attention from internal problems EU.

“Some countries need an explanation why billions go to the defense industry. So they come up with a threat from the East, ”he said, adding that Russia is not interested in conflict with Europe.

Sent to Washington

At the same time, a warning sounded in his speech. Putin made it clear that if if NATO countries will decide to increase pressure on Russia, including possible supplies “Tomagavkov” Ukraine, Moscow reserves the right to A sharp answer. He recalled that it was precisely such steps that can lead to a new spiral of escalation in relations between Russia and the USA.

“In the current situation in the world, you need to be prepared for anything. The rates are extremely high“, – said the president at the beginning of the speech, clearly hinting that the diplomatic window remains, but can close at any time.

Result

Putin’s performance on Valdai became an attempt to indicate the position of Moscow as rational player who does not want warbut ready for any development of events. For the West, this is a signal: Russia is waiting for negotiations, but will not give in under pressure.

Where did the phrase “Paper Tiger” come from

Trump’s injection about the “paper tiger” addressed to Russia with the propaganda of Mao against the United States – The Associated Press

Almost 80 years after Mao Zedong called the United States “Paper Tiger”to raise morale in his homeland, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged with sharp comments about who is today “Paper Tiger”.

Phrase – Zhilaohu in Chinese – deeply rooted in the culture of the Communist Party of China. The expression included in the party dictionary after the founder of the revolution in 1946, the founder of the revolution, told American journalist Anna Louise Strong in an interview that The nuclear bomb of the United States is a “paper tiger”which “American reactionaries scare people”.

“Mao is famous for saying this about the United States at a time when the United States had a nuclear arsenal, and China had no nuclear weapons yet. … how the times have changed “– concluded the historian by the senior researcher at Asia Society John Felori.

“Now the leaders of the United States and Russia call each other “Paper tigers”while the leader of China Xi Jinping is sitting aside, looking the only adult in the room, “ He added.



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