Russia Labels Zelensky A ‘Clown’, ‘Loser’ Ahead Of Diplomatic Talks In Turkey

Tensions flared on Thursday as Russia and Ukraine exchanged insults ahead of the first direct peace talks between the two nations in more than three years, set to take place in Turkey.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, upon arriving in Ankara for a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, criticized Russia for sending what he called a “dummy” delegation to the talks in Istanbul. “We need to understand whether the Russian delegation has any real mandate to make decisions,” Zelensky said. “From what we see, it looks more like a dummy.”

Russia swiftly responded, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling Zelensky a “clown,” “dummy,” and “loser” during a press briefing in Moscow. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added, “At first Zelensky demanded that Putin show up personally. Pathetic.”

Low Expectations for Breakthrough

The absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as senior diplomats like Lavrov and foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, has cast doubt on the seriousness of Russia’s participation. Leading Moscow’s team is Vladimir Medinsky, a Kremlin aide and hardline nationalist historian who previously led failed talks in 2022 and has denied Ukraine’s legitimacy as a nation.

Despite recent international pressure, including calls for a ceasefire from European leaders, the Kremlin has shown no signs of significant concessions. The Russian delegation includes lower-level officials from the foreign and defense ministries, along with the head of military intelligence (GRU).

In contrast, Zelensky said Ukraine is sending a “top-level” team, including representatives from the foreign ministry, the president’s office, the military, and intelligence services.

U.S. Involvement and Global Attention

U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from Qatar, said he may travel to Turkey on Friday “if something meaningful happens.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, attending a NATO meeting in Antalya, said Washington was “impatient” and open to “any mechanism” to end the war. He is expected to meet with European counterparts in Istanbul on Friday.

Hundreds of journalists have gathered outside Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace, where the talks are rumored to take place later Thursday.

Core Disagreements Persist

Despite the renewed diplomatic activity, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on key issues. Russia insists on addressing the so-called “root causes” of the war, including the controversial demands for Ukraine’s “denazification” and demilitarization—terms rejected by both Kyiv and the West.

Moscow also demands that Ukraine recognize Russian control over occupied territories and withdraw from contested regions. Kyiv has rejected these terms but continues to push for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

President Zelensky has acknowledged that reclaiming lost territory may only be possible through diplomacy but insists that Ukraine will not cede sovereignty.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, tens of thousands have been killed, and Russia now occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory.

— AFP