Guys, Canada Just Made A Russia Joke

Amid the escalating conflict in Ukraine, one very unexpected NATO member state has chimed in. If NATO were a classroom, where alpha jocks like the U.S. and Germany dominate discussions, then Canada is that quiet kid in the back of the classroom who keeps to himself. But on Wednesday, the quiet kid surprised everyone: Canada tweeted a map of the Russian-Ukrainian border to clear up any confusion for the Russian army, who claim to keep "getting lost." The flippant move reveals an impressive skill nobody knew Canada had: Internet trolling.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko confirmed Thursday that Russian troops have invaded Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels have been fighting the country's government forces since the wake of Crimea's annexation. The revelation comes after months of speculation of Russia's involvement in the separatist movement, which Putin has denied again and again.

Earlier this week, 10 Russian paratroopers were captured in Ukraine outside the village of Dzerkalne, which is near the rebel-held city of Donetsk and about 12 miles from the Russian border. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the Russian soldiers were merely conducting a patrol of the Russian-Ukrainian border and had "crossed it by accident" at an unmarked section.

By that logic, then did the thousands of troops that are currently on Ukrainian soil cross the border by accident as well? How do you respond to a smirking bully who's unwavering in his patronizing denials, despite mounting evidence to the contrary? By being the perfect combination of flip and clever, at least according to Canada. On Wednesday, Canada's NATO delegation tweeted this hilarious and completely brilliant message.

Canada's tweet mocks Russia's supposed confusion over the border by drawing a very clear, easy-to-read divide: Russia, and Not Russia. The tone of the tweet acknowledges the absurdity's of Russia's denials. Instead of dignifying them with a formal reprimand, the painfully rudimentary map artfully undermines Putin's whole strategy. "Geography can be tough" — it's like a metaphorical tap on the head. Brilliant.

All of this begs the question: Where did that come from, Canada? Who knew you were such a maverick! While Canada has always supported Ukrainian autonomy and opposed Russia's military occupation, even imposing political and economic sanctions on Russia, the NATO member has certainly never been considered a badass. But there's no question about it — that tweet was badass. Sometimes it's the quiet ones who make the most noise.

Image: Canada at NATO/Twitter