Ukraine uses ‘Simpsons’ gif in Twitter fight with Russia

by Jacqueline Thomsen - 05/30/17 10:28 AM ET

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia boiled over on social media Tuesday, with Ukraine using a gif from “The Simpsons” to mock Moscow.

Ukraine’s official Twitter account threw the first attack, tweeting: “When @Russia says Anne de Kiev established Russia-France relations, let us remind the sequence of events,” with an image of Moscow as a forest. Anne of Kiev, the French queen consort during the 11th century, lived in what is now the capital of Ukraine.

{mosads}Russia’s official account replied with an image of the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Novgorod being constructed during the same year, saying: “We are proud of our common history. [Russia], [Ukraine] & [Belarus] share the same historical heritage which should unite our nations, not divide us.”

Ukraine responded by saying “You really don’t change, do you?” Attached was a gif from a 1998 episode of “The Simpsons” called “Simpson Tide,” which shows a Russian ambassador at the United Nations laughing as the placard in front of him flips from “Russia” to “Soviet Union.”

Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union. Russia-Ukraine tensions have remained high since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. Most of the international community recognizes Ukraine’s claim to the area.

When @Russia says Anne de Kiev established Russia-France relations, let us remind the sequence of events pic.twitter.com/nBKhQdyKql

— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) May 30, 2017

@Ukraine We are proud of our common history. , & share the same historical heritage which should unite our nations, not divide us. pic.twitter.com/hdmkuGy22p

— РоссиЯ (@Russia) May 30, 2017