Russian, French embassies in Ankara clash in social media war of words over Ukraine

The Russian Embassy in Ankara ignited a diplomatic social media skirmish Wednesday by posting Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's statement that Russia remains open to a political solution in Ukraine and that ending the war depends on Kyiv's actions. The post further accused Paris and London of planning to provide nuclear weapons to Kyiv, describing such intentions as "a blatant violation of all standards, principles, and relevant provisions of international law."

French Response and Escalation

The French Embassy in Ankara swiftly responded with a sarcastic retort: "We have entered the fifth year of the supposedly three-day war," questioning Russia's claims about UK-French nuclear deterrence posing a threat. The Russian Embassy retaliated with a blistering reply, lamenting that "the only thing left of France's famous diplomacy is to make pitiful and pathetic posts on social media." The message reminded Paris of its alleged role as "one of the main supporters of the Nazi regime in Kyiv, which since 2014 has been killing its own civilian population," and sarcastically asked whether "the ghosts of 1812" still trouble the French government—a reference to Napoleon's failed invasion of Russia.

Nuclear Allegations and Denials

The exchange followed the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service's Tuesday claim that Britain and France are actively working to provide Kyiv with a nuclear bomb, allegedly believing nuclear-armed Ukraine could secure better conflict termination terms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the accusations Wednesday, dismissing them as pressure tactics ahead of upcoming peace talks. The Ankara-based diplomatic clash highlights the heightened rhetoric surrounding Ukraine as negotiations continue.