Moscow: The Kremlin on Wednesday reaffirmed its determination to press on with its military campaign in Ukraine, dismissing US President Donald Trump’s recent description of Russia as a “paper tiger.”

The statement follows Trump’s remarks on Tuesday, in which he suggested Ukraine could reclaim all its lost territory and characterised Russia as a “paper tiger” struggling with economic difficulties.

“We are continuing our special military operation to ensure our interests and achieve the goals,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview with a Russian newspaper.

“We are doing this for both the present and the future of our country. For many generations to come. Therefore, we have no alternative," he added. 

While pushing back against Trump’s characterisation, Peskov acknowledged that Russia’s economy, after several years of rapid growth, is now facing challenges. “Russia maintains its macroeconomic stability,” he said. “Yes, Russia is experiencing tensions and problems in various sectors of the economy.”

Peskov also offered a grim appraisal of efforts to improve US-Russia relations. He described the thaw initiated when Trump returned to the White House in January as largely ineffective. “This track is sluggish, very sluggish,” he remarked, adding that progress toward resetting ties has been “close to zero.”