The Twitter account for the Russian embassy in the United Kingdom tweeted out a picture Monday of Pepe the frog, the most prominent symbol of the white nationalist so-called “alt-right.”
The tweet from @RussianEmbassy, featuring a cartoon embraced by white supremacists, seemed to chide critics for calling on British Prime Minister Theresa May to discuss Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election during her upcoming meeting with President-elect Donald Trump:
In today’s papers: pundits call on @Theresa_May to disrupt possible Russia-US thaw. No trust in Britain’s best friend and ally? pic.twitter.com/4TNf9x8PCh
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) January 9, 2017
Trump had announced Sunday that he planned to meet with May at the White House this spring.
The Russian embassy account followed up its initial tweet with a poll asking users if they feel being “exposed” to “alternative views/media” could undermine Britain”:
Do you believe that exposure that exposure to alternative views/media, incl.RT, could undermine Britain and your democracy?
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) January 9, 2017
The cartoon has been designated a hate symbol by The Anti-Defamation League.
This is not the first time the embassy’s account has made headlines for its surprising tweets. TPM pointed out in December that the account frequently mocks the United States’ geopolitics through memes.
I can’t figure out what they’re trying to accomplish with their trolling. It’s so weird and stupid.
Doesn’t it make the most sense for sensitive diplomacy to be carried-out diplomatically, not by Tweet?
Can’t blame the Russians for encouraging more Trump Tweets, however. Anything to weaken the United States.
That current feed aside, two things need to be looked at with this tweet:
Is it weird to watch supposed diplomats act like the ice cream man?
I’m actually wondering out loud, if the Russian Govt feels the same way about the VOA?
Does it make us look weaker or that we’re just a country full of morons.
They are looking for like minded folks to mess with. Unfortunately its working in some form, but…