By Shane CroucherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA top Kremlin official launched a tirade against female European Union leaders, calling them "crazy hags" and "half-witted old biddies" for their stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Security Council, and a former president and prime minister of Russia, lashed out in a new post on Telegram early Wednesday.
"As Russia and the U.S. try to negotiate an end to the conflict, frigid Europe, headed by half-witted old biddies called Ursula and Kaja, is pushing for war to the last Ukrainian," Medvedev wrote, referring to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
Newsweek has contacted the European Commission for comment.
Putin: Russia Ready for War if Europe Wants One
Tensions between Russia and Europe are especially strained amid the Ukraine war. European allies think Russia could be laying the ground for a much broader war on the continent beyond Ukraine, and so are trying to rapidly rearm the continent in response. Putin has dismissed accusations that he is seeking war with Europe—but warned that Russia is ready for it.
Russia is also trying to drive a greater wedge between Europe and the U.S., and is punching the bruise of differences within NATO over how to settle the Ukraine conflict. The U.S. has largely sidelined Europe from the current peace negotiations, which Ukraine and its continental allies fear means the White House will eventually pressure Kyiv into capitulative terms with Russia.
...Medvedev Cites 'In Bruges' Movie
Medvedev, in his post, cited the corruption scandal now engulfing Federica Mogherini, who previously held Kallas's foreign affairs role. Mogherini was arrested by Belgian police in a fraud investigation relating to contracts for training aspiring European diplomats. She now heads the College of Europe graduate school in Bruges.
He made reference to the British movie In Bruges. "One can only hope that these two crazy hags will soon follow in Ms. Mogherini’s footsteps," Medvedev said. "Or end up like the two protagonists of the aforementioned movie. And I sincerely hope they will."
Of the two protagonists in In Bruges, one dies by suicide and the other is shot, with a question mark over his survival.
Kallas: Do Not Reward Russia's Aggression in Ukraine
Ukraine's European allies want the U.S. to take a harder stance on Russian demands in the current peace talks taking place. The Trump administration has said both sides will need to compromise in order to achieve peace.
Kallas, whom Medvedev called an "anti-Russian bitch" in his social media post, is particularly hawkish on Russia. She argues that Ukraine must be strengthened on the battlefield with better and more powerful weapons and that there should be little or no concessions made to the Kremlin on Ukrainian territory, NATO membership, and its security guarantees.
"In this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. Our job is to do all we can to support the victim and not reward the aggression," Kallas said after a meeting in Brussels of European defense ministers on Monday. "The goal is to have a just and durable peace, not a deal that lays ground for a next war."
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
WorldChina’s Next Aircraft Carrier Could Be Nuclear-Powered—What To Know6 min readWorldPutin Ally Tirades at ‘Crazy Hags’3 min read
WorldSatellite Photos Capture Chinese Naval Fleet Alarming US Pacific Ally4 min read
WorldChina Confronts US Ally at Disputed Territory3 min read
WorldDonald Trump’s Honduras Gamble Hangs in Balance as Election Results Turn4 min read
WorldColombia Issues New Statement on Trump’s Military Threat4 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsExclusive: Democrat Targets Trump’s $175B Immigration Funds for Housing7 min read
NewsUkraine War Live Updates: Russia Says No ‘Compromise’ Peace Deal Reached2 min read
NewsVideo of Hegseth Telling Military Not to Follow ‘Illegal Orders’ Resurfaces5 min read
NewsDonald Trump’s Major Medicaid Cuts for Abortions Blocked4 min readWorldDonald Trump’s Honduras Gamble Hangs in Balance as Election Results Turn4 min read
PoliticsRepublican Ousted By Democrat In Georgia1 min readTrending
WeatherList of Schools Closed Tuesday as Snowstorm Hits4 min read
TennesseeTennessee Special Election: Behn Teases Another Run After Losing to Van Epps2 min read
Winter StormWinter Storm Warning As 12 Inches of Snow To Hit: ‘Delay All Travel’3 min read
ViralCat Arrives at Vet for Neuter, Staff Not Ready for What’s in the Carrier3 min read
ImmigrationGreen Card Update: New Changes for Holders in December6 min readOpinion
OpinionHas President Trump Ushered in an Era of Peace in the Middle East? Newsweek Contributors Debate6 min read
OpinionRand Paul: My Proposal Will Improve Health Care and Lower Costs | Opinion4 min read
OpinionBridging the AI Velocity Gap | Opinion5 min read
OpinionPaving the Way Forward—It’s Time To Build the Roads and Bridges to America’s Next Golden Age | Opinion4 min read
OpinionHHS Official: How the Working Families Tax Cut Act Strengthens Medicaid for Most Vulnerable | Opinion4 min read
