'Bark from Moscow' — Kyiv hits back as Russian Foreign Ministry insults Zelensky

 

Ukraine Slams Russian Official Over Insults Ahead of Peace Talks in Turkey

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry issued a sharp response after Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova referred to President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "clown" ahead of anticipated peace talks scheduled in Turkey on May 15.

“This is not the first time the Russian Foreign Ministry has made itself a laughing stock,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said in a post on X. “It’s also worth mentioning that the Russian Foreign Ministry isn’t even leading their delegation — their only role is to bark from Moscow.”

Earlier in the day, President Zelensky arrived in Ankara and stated he would determine Ukraine’s next steps in the negotiations after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He emphasized that Ukraine is represented “at the highest level,” and dismissed Russia’s delegation as “a sham.”

Zakharova escalated the exchange, responding with more personal attacks: “Who uses the word ‘sham’? A clown, a loser, someone completely uneducated.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin declined Kyiv’s request to personally attend the talks. Instead, Moscow’s delegation is headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and includes senior officials such as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Military Intelligence Director Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

In contrast, Ukraine’s delegation reflects high-level involvement, including Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Chief Vasyl Malyuk, and General Staff Chief Andrii Hnatov. They are joined by Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who are accompanying Zelensky for discussions with Erdogan.