Diplomatic Sensitivity: The Debate About Kids' Holiday Shows.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thinks it's a bad idea to have actors playing Barmaley at children's New Year's parties. She believes this could hurt the already complicated relationship with Syria.

Zakharova pointed out that many Russian citizens, including military officers, are working in Syria. She questioned why Barmaley, a character often portrayed as a villain with a beard and camouflage, is considered appropriate for children's celebrations.

Zakharova argued that seeing someone with a beard and camouflage shouldn't automatically make children think of them as a bad person. She used the example of the Taliban visiting Moscow without major incidents to support her point.

She urged a more diplomatic approach to such decisions. Zakharova emphasized the need to be careful about the messages conveyed to children through entertainment.

Instead of Barmaley, Zakharova suggested other characters like the Three Little Pigs, Shapoklyak, and Dwarf Nose for the festivities. She believes these options are safe choices because Russia's relations with Ukraine and the EU are already at a low point.