Peskov rejects Trump’s “paper tiger” comment
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov responded to a comment by U.S. President Donald Trump describing Russia as a “paper tiger.” Peskov strongly disagreed with this assessment, noting that Russia is not a tiger, but a bear, and that “there is no such thing as a paper bear.” Peskov stressed that such characterizations do not correspond to reality or reflect the country’s capabilities. Trump made this statement while criticizing the previous U.S. administration’s policy and discussing relations with Moscow. The Kremlin’s spokesperson emphasized that Russia is a powerful country that cannot be perceived as a weak player on the international stage (TASS).
Intended effect: The article aims to demonstrate Russia’s confidence and strength by countering external criticism with an image of the country as a strong and independent state. The Kremlin uses the metaphor of a “bear” to reinforce associations with power and stability inspiring national pride and resilience among the domestic audience in the face of Western statements.
Tatyana Ustinova: Censorship protects readers from vulgarity and bad taste
In an interview with TASS, Russian writer Tatyana Ustinova discusses current issues in literature and culture. She says public book projects (such as “Book in the City”) are important for promoting reading: even if a passerby shows a brief interest, that is a result. She believes that contemporary children’s and teenage literature lacks “down-to-earthness,” failing to show that achievements come through hard work, not “magic wands.” Despite claims of its “demise,” the detective genre is alive and in demand, she says. Regarding film adaptations, Ustinova is supportive but warns that poor-quality versions can scare readers away from the originals. Finally, she offers her perspective on “censorship” — not as a ban, but as a means of shielding readers from vulgar and tasteless texts (TASS).
Intended effect: The interview portrays Ustinova as both an author and a cultural expert. She advocates for striking a balance between creative freedom and responsibility. Her views reinforce trust in traditional literature and emphasize the importance of quality and taste over extreme self-expression.
Erdogan faces a choice he does not want to make
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Donald Trump at the White House before heading to the UN General Assembly. The visit follows Erdogan’s trip to China for the SCO summit. According to Petr Akopov, a columnist at RIA Novosti, Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli has proposed forming a strategic alliance between Turkey, Russia, and China as an alternative to the “coalition of evil” consisting of the U.S and Israel. Akopov says that Erdogan is striving for a multi-vector policy that combines ties with the West and the East. This raises questions about the feasibility of such a course. In his opinion, Russia could support a rapprochement with Turkey, but a real alliance requires trust, which is currently lacking (ria.ru).
Intended effect: The article emphasizes the complexity of Turkey’s foreign policy, which strikes a balance between the West and the East. It focuses on Turkey’s domestic policy and its desire for independence – factors that may influence perceptions of Erdogan as a leader capable of making difficult decisions.
RIA Novosti: Russia to open entirely new nuclear future for Iran
In his article on RIA Novosti, Russian political commentator Sergey Savchuk cites Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, as saying that Russia and Iran are preparing to sign an agreement on building new nuclear power plants. According to Savchuk, this step marks a strengthening of nuclear cooperation between the two countries. Iran began developing its nuclear program in the 1950s with the support of the United States as part of the Atoms for Peace program. However, after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, relations with the West deteriorated and Iran shifted its focus to developing its own nuclear infrastructure. Despite international sanctions and Western concerns, the agreement with Russia opens up new opportunities for Iran in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, Savchuk notes (ria.ru).
Intended effect: The article portrays Russia as a reliable strategic partner that can provide Iran with modern peaceful nuclear technology while circumventing Western pressure. This reinforces the perception of Russian independence and influence on the international stage, demonstrating Moscow’s ability to strengthen its allies and establish alternative centers of power to counter Western sanctions.
