Vladimir Putin has compared Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the fight against Nazi Germany, in a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle of Stalingrad, reports BBC.
Citing Germany’s decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, he claimed history was repeating itself.
„It’s unbelievable but true,” he said. „We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks”.
Germany is one of many countries helping Ukraine defend its territory.
Speaking in Volgograd – the modern name for Stalingrad – Mr Putin hinted that he could seek to move beyond conventional weapons.
„Those who hope to defeat Russia on the battlefield do not understand, it seems, that a modern war with Russia will be very different for them […] We are not sending our tanks to their borders, but we have the means to respond. It won’t be limited to the use of armoured hardware. Everyone must understand this”.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to elaborate on Mr Putin’s comments, but did tell reporters that „as new weapons are delivered by the collective West, Russia will make greater use of its potential to respond”.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was preparing to take „revenge” against the West for aiding Ukraine.
„Now Russia is concentrating its forces. We all know that. It is preparing to try to take revenge, not only against Ukraine, but against a free Europe and the free world,” Zelensky stated. He urged EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to impose additional restrictions on the Russian economy.
