Ankara sees online war of words between Russian and French diplomats

A diplomatic dispute unfolded in Ankara after the Russian and French embassies exchanged a series of sharply worded messages on the social media platform X, drawing widespread attention as the posts were published in Turkish and quickly circulated among local users.

The exchange began following press remarks by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov concerning the objectives of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and issues related to nuclear deterrence. In his comments, Peskov reiterated Moscow’s official position on the conflict.

“The main goal of the Special Military Operation is to ensure the safety of people living in eastern Ukraine who are truly in mortal danger. Russia remains open to a political and diplomatic solution to achieve its goals. At present, everything depends on the actions of the Kiev regime. Paris and London’s intention to supply nuclear weapons to Kiev clearly violates all relevant principles and rules of international law,” Russia's embassy quoted him as saying.

The Embassy of France in Ankara responded on X with an ironic post referencing Russia’s early expectations about the duration of the war: “We have entered the fifth year of a war that was supposed to last three days, and yet Russia is still making statements that France-UK deterrence is a threat.”

The reply prompted a strong reaction from the Embassy of Russia in Ankara, which accused Paris and London of backing Kyiv and issued a historically charged response. “It is truly sad that all that remains of France's renowned diplomacy is making pitiful and pathetic posts on social media. We need to remind our colleagues that Paris has been one of the most important supporters of the Nazi regime in Kiev, which has been killing its own civilian population, including children and women, since 2014. But perhaps it is the ghosts of 1812 that still haunt the French government?” the embassy wrote.

By Tamilla Hasanova