(MENAFN) Russia’s Security Council deputy chair, Dmitry Medvedev, has harshly criticized the suggestion of deploying NATO forces to Ukraine as part of potential security guarantees, mocking one of its main advocates by calling him a “brainless Gallic rooster.”

In a message shared Wednesday on social media platform X, Medvedev reiterated Moscow’s firm opposition to any NATO peacekeeping presence in Ukraine, stressing that Russia had already made this stance clear.

The former Russian president doubled down on his insults, saying the individual he mocked as a "brainless Gallic rooster" refuses to abandon this proposal. He went on to add: "But the hoarse, pathetic bird continues to crow to prove it's king of the coop.”

Although he avoided naming anyone directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as a jab at French President Emmanuel Macron.

Medvedev’s comments surfaced during heightened diplomatic activity, as US President Donald Trump has been pushing for negotiations to resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted nearly three and a half years.

Last week, Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska. Following that, he welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders to the White House, where discussions centered on possible diplomatic steps forward, including guarantees for Kyiv’s security.

The next day, Macron, who attended those Oval Office talks, told French media that he favored sending “reassurance forces” to Ukraine as part of such guarantees.

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