France summons Russian envoy over “indecent” Bucha Twitter post
PARIS (Reuters) – Russia’s ambassador to France was summoned on Thursday to the Overseas Ministry in Paris after his embassy tweeted an image claiming to be a film-set within the Ukrainian city of Bucha, the place the killing of civilians has triggered a world outcry.
The tweet, which has since been deleted, appeared to point out folks making ready to shoot a movie, with the phrases “Movie set, Bucha city” written above the picture.
The embassy didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
It’s the third time in as many weeks that Paris has known as within the envoy. The embassy beforehand posted an image depicting a physique mendacity on a desk known as “Europe” with characters representing the US and European Union jabbing needles into it.
“Within the face of the indecency and provocation of the communication of the Russian embassy in France on the acts perpetrated in Bucha, I’ve determined to summon …. the ambassador of Russia,” Overseas Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stated in an announcement.
President Emmanuel Macron has sought to maintain dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He speaks repeatedly with Putin as a part of efforts to get a ceasefire and start a reputable negotiation between Kyiv and Moscow.
Macron has confronted criticism for sustaining that channel. The French presidency says the contact is on the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Bucha, 37 km (23 miles) northwest of Kyiv, was occupied by Russian troops for greater than a month following the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Native officers say greater than 300 folks have been killed by Russian forces in Bucha, and round 50 of them have been executed.
The Kremlin says Western allegations Russian forces dedicated struggle crimes by executing civilians in Bucha have been a “monstrous forgery,” geared toward justifying extra monetary sanctions towards Russia.
Talking on Wednesday, Macron defended his continued dialogue with Putin after Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki berated him for speaking to the Russian chief, saying no person negotiated with Hitler.
“I believe it’s my responsibility. It is neither complicity or naivety,” Macron stated on broadcaster TF1, accusing Morawiecki of backing far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in Sunday’s presidential election.
(Reporting by John Irish; Modifying by Frank Jack Daniel)
