Russia, Ukraine delegates wrestle over flag-snatching at Turkey summit

Ukrainian and Russian delegates were engaged in a fight on Friday at a summit in Ankara, capital city of Turkey, following a flag-snatching incident.

The fight broke out when Valery Stavitsky, the Russian delegation secretary, snatched a flag from Oleksandr Marikovski, a Ukrainian MP.

The delegates were attending the parliamentary assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation in Turkey.

As seen in videos making the rounds on the internet, Marikovski stood and held out the Ukrainian flag behind Olga Timofeeva, another Russian delegate, while she was speaking before an audience.

Stavitsky walked up to Marikovski and snatched the flag from him and walked away.

Marikovski ran after Stavitsky, hitting him, and then snatched the flag back.

Some persons at the scene intervened in an attempt to settle the scuffle.

The incident caused some ruckus among other representatives of both countries inside the chamber.

Both countries have been at war since February 2022, when Russia invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine.

The invasion has led to thousands of deaths on both sides and left millions as refugees.

Nigeria and 140 other countries in February asked Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine.