The Kremlin has issued a sharp rebuke to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine, dismissing his remarks as misguided and doubling down on the country’s self-image as a powerful, unyielding force. With a pointed declaration that “Russia is a real bear,” officials in Moscow underscored their defiance amid international sanctions, prolonged fighting, and rising political rhetoric abroad.
Trump’s Critique Sparks Response
Trump, speaking during a campaign event earlier this week, suggested that Moscow had overreached in Ukraine and was at risk of depleting its strength. While the former U.S. president has long insisted he could end the war within 24 hours if re-elected, his latest comments were interpreted in Russia as both dismissive and provocative.
“Russia is bleeding itself out,” Trump reportedly said, casting the Kremlin’s military efforts as unsustainable in the long term. His remarks were part of a broader attack on President Joe Biden’s handling of the conflict and U.S. foreign policy.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov quickly rejected the criticism. “Russia is not a country that measures its strength in soundbites or political campaigns. We are a real bear, and bears do not retreat when challenged,” he told Russian state media. The statement was not only a rebuttal to Trump but also a carefully crafted message of resilience aimed at the domestic audience.
The Symbolism of the “Bear”
Russia’s invocation of the “bear” metaphor was deliberate and culturally resonant. The bear has long been a symbol of Russian identity — fierce, enduring, and respected, yet often misunderstood by outsiders. In Russian folklore, the bear embodies both strength and patience, qualities the Kremlin wants to project as the war enters another grinding phase.
For decades, Western caricatures of Russia as a lumbering bear emphasized danger and unpredictability. Moscow, however, has increasingly embraced the imagery as part of its national narrative. By declaring itself “a real bear,” the Kremlin sought to reaffirm Russia’s ability to withstand hardship and emerge stronger — even as sanctions and battlefield setbacks test its resolve.
War of Words Across the Atlantic
Trump’s comments highlight how the Ukraine war remains not only a European battlefield issue but also a central theme in U.S. politics. His claim that he could end the war “within a day” if re-elected is a recurring campaign promise, designed to contrast with Biden’s policy of long-term military and financial support for Kyiv.
In Moscow, analysts dismiss Trump’s assurances as campaign rhetoric. “This kind of rhetoric is mostly for an American audience,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, a prominent foreign policy commentator in Russia. “Here, such statements are seen as superficial and disconnected from the realities on the ground. Ending the conflict is not a matter of handshakes; it involves deep security concerns, NATO’s posture, and the West’s willingness to acknowledge Russia’s red lines.”
Nonetheless, Russian officials are acutely aware of the shifting political winds in Washington. While they publicly reject Trump’s criticism, they also note his skepticism of NATO and past willingness to question U.S. military commitments abroad. For Moscow, this introduces an element of uncertainty — one that fuels speculation about whether a future Trump administration would change the trajectory of Western support for Ukraine.
Moscow’s Message of Defiance
The Kremlin’s “real bear” remark comes as the war approaches another winter. Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western weapons, while Russia has sought to adapt its economy to sanctions, redirecting trade toward Asia and boosting domestic production.
For Moscow, the exchange with Trump provided an opportunity to project resilience at home. Russian state television amplified Peskov’s remarks, framing the former U.S. president’s criticism as proof that the West misunderstands Russia’s endurance. Commentators emphasized that while Western leaders debate, Russia is carrying the burden of defending its sovereignty and confronting NATO encroachment.
“Bears are patient animals,” one Russian analyst noted on air. “They may retreat momentarily, but they never surrender their territory. This is the essence of Russia’s position in Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian Perspective
In Kyiv, officials dismissed both Trump’s comments and Russia’s symbolic defiance. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that talk of ending the war through “quick deals” or metaphors of strength ignored the reality on the ground: a sovereign country fighting for its survival.
“Ukraine’s position is clear: peace will only come when Russia withdraws its troops and respects our borders,” Kuleba said in a statement. Ukrainian officials also warned that Russia’s self-image as an unyielding “bear” revealed its unwillingness to negotiate in good faith.
For Ukraine, Trump’s promises are seen as potentially dangerous, raising fears that a future U.S. administration might pressure Kyiv into concessions. At the same time, Kyiv remains dependent on sustained Western support to hold its defensive lines.
A Clash of Narratives
The exchange between Trump and the Kremlin underscores how the war in Ukraine has become a battleground of narratives as much as territory. For Russia, portraying itself as an indomitable bear helps rally domestic support and deflect from economic strain. For Trump, highlighting Russia’s supposed weakness serves as a campaign tool to discredit Biden’s policies and showcase his own dealmaking credentials.
Yet, the reality is far more complex. Analysts note that the conflict has settled into a war of attrition, with neither side positioned for a decisive breakthrough in the near term. Russia’s claim of endurance is tested daily on the battlefield, while Ukraine’s dependence on Western backing remains a strategic vulnerability.
Looking Ahead
As the U.S. election season intensifies, Trump’s remarks are likely to draw more attention in Moscow, even if publicly dismissed. The Kremlin, for its part, will continue leveraging national symbols and rhetoric to project strength — with the “real bear” comment serving as the latest example.
Whether the metaphor resonates beyond Russia’s borders remains uncertain. But what is clear is that the war has grown into a conflict with global political implications, shaping narratives not just in Kyiv and Moscow, but also in Washington.
For now, the Kremlin’s message is firm: Russia will not be defined by outside criticism, not even from a former U.S. president. And in embracing the image of the bear, Moscow signals its determination to endure, resist, and, in its own words, never retreat.
