Russia Is Sorrynotsorry For Calling Julie Bishop A ‘He’

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September 4, 2014

It’s fairly safe to say that there ain’t no love lost between Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin certainly won’t be sending Bishop a Christmas Card this year, and Bishop has definitely crossed the sandy shores of Zelenogradsk off her list of potential locations for her next holiday.

She’s had her own comments labelled as “absurd” and “irresponsible” in the past by the former Soviet nation, and now they apparently can’t even be stuffed addressing her by the correct pronoun.

The Twitter account for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent out the following message, following repeated reports that Bishop and the Abbott Government were considering rescinding their invitation for Russia to attend this year’s G20 Summit, to be held in Brisbane in November.

#Lavrov: The Australian FM’s idea not to invite Russia to the G20 summit is not surprising but he should not lose sight of its principles

— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) September 2, 2014

Cue some guffawing and general chiding from the greater international diplomatic community.

Exhibit A) Sweden‘s foreign minister, Carl Bildt.

@mfa_russia You should know that Australia FM @JulieBishopMP is not a “he”. Fairly basic.

— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) September 2, 2014

And a further response, entered as Exhibit B) From Australia’s envoy to Russia, Paul Myler.

@carlbildt @mfa_russia @JulieBishopMP Thanks Carl! Borders, genders – all a bit confusing right now!

— Paul Myler (@PosolAustralia) September 2, 2014

That last tweet, it should be noted, was actually sent from Moscow, displaying a uniquely Australian brand of “Come at me, Bro!“-ness.

Though no official response has been made by the Russians as of yet, early reports are suggesting that a field team was sent to the nations Great Fucks Field of Siberia in search of some to give, only to find a permanent frost had completely wiped that crop out many years ago.

Photo via Getty Images.