The Kremlin said on Wednesday it would not take part in “Twitter diplomacy,” after U.S. President Donald J. Trump tweeted that “missiles will be coming” to Syria.
“We do not take part in Twitter-diplomacy. We support serious approaches. As ever, we believe it is important not to take steps that could damage an already fragile situation,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments reported by news agencies.
Trump tweeted that strikes could be expected in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria’s Douma, telling regime-backer Russia to “get ready.”
Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018
Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018
The message comes one day after Russia vetoed a U.S.-drafted resolution at the U.N. Security Council to set up a panel to identify the perpetrators of Saturdays’ alleged toxic gas attacks.
Russia has said its military specialists found no evidence of a chemical attack, and suggested that rebels staged or spread rumors of an attack to pin the blame on Damascus.
