EXCLUSIVE: UK defence chief gives verdict on Donald Trump's brutal 'paper tiger' jab at Putin

Defence Secretary John Healey told The Mirror Russia is 'not as tough as Putin likes to pretend' and said he welcomed Donald Trump's jibe

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Donald Trump was right to describe Vladimir Putin's war machine as a "paper tiger", the UK's defence secretary has said.

John Healey told The Mirror that Russia is "not as tough as Puin likes to pretend" as the UK gets on a war footing. Asked if he was surprised by the US President goading the Russian leader, Mr Healey told The Mirror: "No, I welcome that. I welcome President Trump's dedication to put an end to the fighting and his commitment to bringing Putin to talks and his recognition that Russia is not as tough as Putin likes to pretend.

"Let's remember, his war in Ukraine is one he thought he would win in a week." He went on: "Putin's lost over a million men in battle, more than 10,000 tanks and armored vehicles.

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"And he's having to call on help from countries like North Korea, to reinforce his frontline." Pressed on whether the UK is on a war footing with Russia he said: "We're in a new era of threats, and that demands a new era for defense.

"That's why as a government now we're making a record increase in defense." In the last two weeks Russia has been accused of flying drones into Poland, Estonia, Norway and Denmark in what is widely viewed as a challenge to NATO countries.

Mr Healey said: "We have sent extra jets and British ships as part of a NATO effort in Poland. Really the message to Moscow is this - if you push us as NATO countries in this way, you make us more united.

"We stand against your aggression." Last week Mr Trump lashed out at Putin, posting on social media: “Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win.

“This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like a paper tiger.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded: "Russia's in no way a tiger. It's more associated with a bear. And there is no such thing as a paper bear."