26.02.2026 08:40
The embassies of Russia and France in Turkey have recently made headlines not through official contacts, but through the harsh messages they exchanged on social media. Turkish representatives targeted each other on the X platform over the Ukraine war, using heavy expressions such as "Nazi regime" and "ghosts of 1812."
In Ankara, the language of diplomacy has given way to mutual accusations. The embassies of Russia and France in Turkey engaged in an open polemic through their posts on platform X. The discussion began with a message regarding the Ukraine war and quickly escalated into a fierce exchange featuring terms like "Nazi regime" and "ghosts of 1812."
RUSSIA'S PESKOV POST IGNITED THE FUSE OF THE DEBATE
The Russian Embassy in Ankara made a post containing statements from Kremlin Spokesman Dmitriy Peskov. The message argued that the primary purpose of the "special military operation" is to ensure the safety of the people in eastern Ukraine. While it was stated that Moscow is open to political and diplomatic solutions, it was emphasized that the process depends on the steps taken by the Kiev administration. The same post also included Peskov's statements indicating that Paris and London’s intention to provide nuclear weapons to Kiev would be contrary to international law.
FRANCE RESPONDED WITHOUT DELAY
The French Embassy in Turkey quickly responded to Russia's post. In a statement made from the embassy's account, it was reminded that at the beginning of the war, there were expectations that it would last "three days," and now we have entered the fifth year of the conflicts. The embassy's post stated, "We have entered the 5th year of the so-called 3-day war, and yet Russia is still declaring that 'Franco-British deterrence is a threat.'
TENSIONS ESCALATED FURTHER
The Russian Embassy in Ankara responded to the French side's statement with harsher language. The post claimed that France's tradition of diplomacy has turned into "pitiful posts" made on social media. The Russian side also asserted that the French government has been one of the main supporters of the regime in Kiev since 2014 and referred to the Ukrainian administration as a "Nazi regime." The message concluded with the phrase, "Perhaps the ghosts of 1812 still disturb the French government?"
The embassy's post included the following statements: "It is truly sad that the only thing left of France's famous diplomacy is to make pitiful and miserable posts on social media. We need to remind our colleagues that Paris has been one of the main 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 still the ghosts of 1812 that disturb the French government?"