The strategy behind Russia's sarcastic tone towards the West
Sarcasm isn't a typical approach to diplomacy, but it is one that Russia often takes. While it may seem humorous in the moment, the larger strategy affects how people view the conflict in Ukraine.
President Biden said Tuesday that Russia's decision to move troops into parts of eastern Ukraine was "the beginning of a Russian invasion."
Russian President Vladimir Putin does not characterize it that way, but as the world watched for a possible invasion, Russia consistently deployed sarcasm in its messaging.
During a press conference last week, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, framed the idea of Russia invading Ukraine as an almost trivial idea.
"Good afternoon. Sorry for being a little late," Zakharova said on Feb. 16. "I was just checking whether we were invading Ukraine or not. Spoiler: we are not."
A sarcastic tone
