Russian envoy says public figures should choose words carefully after Austrian president's 'dwarf' remark

Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov responded to a reported comment from Austria's president in which Russia was referred to as a "dwarf," saying that public figures need to choose their words more carefully, according to TASS.

Ulyanov's remarks were made in response to the reported characterization but did not include further elaboration on the specific context in which the Austrian president's comment was made, or address the substance of any broader policy dispute between the two countries.

The exchange adds to a series of pointed diplomatic remarks exchanged between Russian officials and their European counterparts amid continued tension over Russia's war in Ukraine and the broader state of relations between Moscow and European Union member states.

Context

Austria has traditionally maintained a position of military neutrality and has sought to balance its historical economic ties with Russia against its membership in the European Union, which has imposed successive rounds of sanctions on Moscow since 2022. Austrian officials have at times taken a more measured public tone toward Russia than some other EU counterparts, making sharper public remarks, if accurately reported, notable within that context.

TASS did not report further comment from Austrian officials on Ulyanov's response.