EU's new anti-Russia rules spark Moscow's sarcastic rocket offer

Zakharova Suggests EU Commission Leave Earth on Russian Rocket

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has advised the EU to either withdraw from the UN or depart planet Earth—preferably aboard a Russian rocket. The remark comes in response to new anti-Russia guidelines issued to Brussels-based diplomats.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has suggested the European Union either quit the United Nations or leave Earth altogether—using a Russian rocket to do so. The sharp remark follows new anti-Russia guidelines issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) to EU diplomats.

In a Telegram post, Zakharova addressed the EEAS directive, which advises European diplomats to avoid events attended by their Russian counterparts and refrain from being photographed with them.

Zakharova mocked Brussels' approach as a case of "all photos, no substance," calling the measures half-hearted. She proposed that a "mature decision" would be for the EU to withdraw from the UN as long as Russia remains a member. "And no 20th package of Russophobic sanctions would be complete without the European Commission announcing its departure from the planet while Russians still live here. We'll provide the rocket," she added.

Earlier, Zakharova had described Ukrainian President Zelensky as "backed into a corner."

Media sources report this is the second anti-Russia directive issued by the EEAS.