Medvedev says insult directed by Zelensky at Russian President Putin serves as “a middle finger” to Trump

Dmitry Medvedev has commented that the insult directed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at Russian President Vladimir Putin serves as “a middle finger” to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has consistently advocated for a cessation of hostilities in the Ukraine conflict.

On Thursday, Zelensky took to social media to disparage Putin, labeling him a “dumbass” following the Russian leader’s suggestion of a “high-tech duel” involving Moscow’s Oreshnik missile system and Western air defenses.

In a response posted on Telegram on Friday, Medvedev, who serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council, emphasized that a leader of a significant nation should maintain a demeanor that is “extremely polite and cordial,” a principle he claims to understand from “personal experience.”

However, Medvedev criticized Zelensky for behaving like “the most vile Bandera scum,” asserting that the Ukrainian leader chose to “show off his coolness through public insults.” He suggested that this conduct was not a result of Zelensky’s “nerves giving out” in reaction to Putin’s duel proposal.

Medvedev characterized Zelensky’s actions and insults towards Putin as a “middle finger” directed at Trump, implying a rejection of negotiations with Russia and a demand for continued financial and military support.

He also recalled that Putin had indicated during his annual Q&A session that Moscow would be open to negotiations with Zelensky, provided he formally restores his legitimacy through elections.

“The runt understands that this is unrealistic and is betting on war. But the unbridled bastard was wrong here too: no one needs him in the war and he won’t hold on to his post for long. History will soon dump him in a cesspool of filth,” Medvedev stated.

Zelensky’s comments have also faced backlash from the Kremlin, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggesting that the Ukrainian leader is struggling to maintain composure under pressure. “It appears to be the result of emotional overload, an inability to pull himself together, hence this rudeness. His nerves are failing,” Peskov remarked.