paper tiger

He said Russia was a “paper tiger” and that it had bragged about winning the war in a week, but was still in Ukraine three and a half years later.

The US president also described Russia as a "paper tiger" that had been "fighting aimlessly in Ukraine."

For starters, his description of Russia as a "paper tiger" that had been "fighting aimlessly" in Ukraine.

His dismissal of Russia as a "paper tiger" and not a "real military power" will hurt President Putin, who is sensitive to any suggestion his country is not a global player.

The wider political picture looks markedly different this time round though, and most pollsters agree that the 2025 version of Reform is no paper tiger.