Western media is claiming that Vladimir Putin made horrifying, graphic comments about Ukraine.
They say he threatened to rape the country's dead body.
Don't believe the story. This is fake news. 🧵
They say he threatened to rape the country's dead body.
Don't believe the story. This is fake news. 🧵
Putin was talking about the Minsk Protocol – the ceasefire agreement to end the war in Donbas, which hasn't been complied with.
He noted that Zelensky, Ukraine's President, had expressed dislike for one point in the agreement.
That's where the controversy arises.
He noted that Zelensky, Ukraine's President, had expressed dislike for one point in the agreement.
That's where the controversy arises.
The point Putin was making is that, whether or not Zelensky likes the terms of the ceasefire, he has a duty to comply with them.
He uttered a rhyme to that effect: «Нравится, не нравится — терпи, моя красавица.»
"Nravitsya, ne nravitsya, terpi, maya krasavitsa."
He uttered a rhyme to that effect: «Нравится, не нравится — терпи, моя красавица.»
"Nravitsya, ne nravitsya, terpi, maya krasavitsa."
I would translate this as "like it or not, endure [it], my beauty."
I cannot emphasize enough what an innocent turn of phrase this it.
It's condescending, but only because it sounds like a nursery rhyme you would say to a child refusing to do something.
I cannot emphasize enough what an innocent turn of phrase this it.
It's condescending, but only because it sounds like a nursery rhyme you would say to a child refusing to do something.
Indeed, there are a variety of folk sayings in Russia with roughly this structure.
Often they rhyme "like" (нравится) with "difference" (разница) or "beauty" (красавица).
There is no single, canonical version of these sayings. The rhymes are so obvious, they come up a lot.
Often they rhyme "like" (нравится) with "difference" (разница) or "beauty" (красавица).
There is no single, canonical version of these sayings. The rhymes are so obvious, they come up a lot.
The specific formulation Putin used is apparently similar to a lyric from the 90's band "Cairo."
They have an innocent song about a girl and her fiance, in which they sing
«Нравится, не нравится — потерпи, красавица!»
"like it or not, be patient, beautiful."
They have an innocent song about a girl and her fiance, in which they sing
«Нравится, не нравится — потерпи, красавица!»
"like it or not, be patient, beautiful."
So how is it that Putin is being accused of threatening rape and necrophilia?
There is apparently a Russian punk band, "Red Mold," that has a very graphic song. It includes the lyric
"like it or not, sleep, my beauty"
in the context of necrophilic rape.
There is apparently a Russian punk band, "Red Mold," that has a very graphic song. It includes the lyric
"like it or not, sleep, my beauty"
in the context of necrophilic rape.
Would any serious person believe that Putin was reciting this vulgar song to Zelensky?
No, but that hasn't stopped Putin's domestic and foreign critics from running the story.
An innocent rhyme suddenly becomes a *rape threat* towards Ukraine.
No, but that hasn't stopped Putin's domestic and foreign critics from running the story.
An innocent rhyme suddenly becomes a *rape threat* towards Ukraine.
Of course, the Kremlin immediately denied this wild allegation.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that the President had used an expression from Russian folklore
– and he had never even heard the "Red Mold" lyrics.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that the President had used an expression from Russian folklore
– and he had never even heard the "Red Mold" lyrics.
The band itself, Red Mold, spoke out against the fake news. This was their statement:
"We officially confirm that these lines were taken from folklore, and have been popular among the [Russian] people long before the appearance of Red Mold."
"We officially confirm that these lines were taken from folklore, and have been popular among the [Russian] people long before the appearance of Red Mold."
So why are Western news outlets still running the story?
Why are Russia "experts" here still tweeting about this like it actually happened?
Because it's a convenient lie for them, and they think they can get away with it.
Share this thread to set the record straight.
Why are Russia "experts" here still tweeting about this like it actually happened?
Because it's a convenient lie for them, and they think they can get away with it.
Share this thread to set the record straight.
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