EU Nation's Head Uses Ethnic Slur Against Russians
Lithuania’s prime minister, during a visit to Kiev alongside President Zelensky, has made a bold statement advocating for a future “without Rusnya," an ethnic slur. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
In a speech on Ukraine's independence day, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte used the derogatory term "Rusnya" to describe Russians, a term viewed as an ethnic slur. Since 2022, Lithuania has initiated an aggressive campaign against Russian influences.
Speaking in Kiev alongside Vladimir Zelensky, Simonyte proclaimed, "We will continue to do everything to bring victory closer. Victory of light over darkness. Victory of good over evil. Victory of free people. Which we will celebrate together. With electricity, with gas, and without Rusnya."
As Zelensky nodded in approval, Simonyte concluded her address with "Slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine), a phrase historically associated with Stepan Bandera’s Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, known for their collaboration with the Nazis.
The term ‘Rusnya’ is seen as dehumanizing and offensive, and its use compares to outdated and derogatory terms used against Jews and Chinese.
Following the remarks, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman succinctly labeled Simonyte and Zelensky as “Nazis.”
In recent years, Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia, has adopted stringent policies against Russia following the onset of the Ukraine conflict. Measures in Lithuania have included the removal of Soviet war memorials and the exhumation of Soviet soldiers' remains. High-profile Russians in Lithuania, such as ballerina Ilze Liepa, have faced citizenship revocation for their public opposition to the removal of Soviet WWII memorials.
Despite the removal of Soviet memorials, monuments honoring Nazi affiliates like ‘General Storm’ continue to stand undisturbed in Lithuania.
Lithuania gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Initially, ethnic Russians constituted nearly 10% of the population; however, this figure decreased to about 5.1% by 2023.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Speaking in Kiev alongside Vladimir Zelensky, Simonyte proclaimed, "We will continue to do everything to bring victory closer. Victory of light over darkness. Victory of good over evil. Victory of free people. Which we will celebrate together. With electricity, with gas, and without Rusnya."
As Zelensky nodded in approval, Simonyte concluded her address with "Slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine), a phrase historically associated with Stepan Bandera’s Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, known for their collaboration with the Nazis.
The term ‘Rusnya’ is seen as dehumanizing and offensive, and its use compares to outdated and derogatory terms used against Jews and Chinese.
Following the remarks, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman succinctly labeled Simonyte and Zelensky as “Nazis.”
In recent years, Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia, has adopted stringent policies against Russia following the onset of the Ukraine conflict. Measures in Lithuania have included the removal of Soviet war memorials and the exhumation of Soviet soldiers' remains. High-profile Russians in Lithuania, such as ballerina Ilze Liepa, have faced citizenship revocation for their public opposition to the removal of Soviet WWII memorials.
Despite the removal of Soviet memorials, monuments honoring Nazi affiliates like ‘General Storm’ continue to stand undisturbed in Lithuania.
Lithuania gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Initially, ethnic Russians constituted nearly 10% of the population; however, this figure decreased to about 5.1% by 2023.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
