Anthony Albanese slams ‘deluded’ Putin over comparing Ukraine invasion to defence against Nazis

The Prime Minister says Vladimir Putin is ‘completely deluded’ to compare his invasion of Ukraine with Russia’s defence against Nazi Germany in World War II.

Vladimir Putin made the comments in a speech celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over the Nazis at Stalingrad, now known as Volgograd, in World War Two to take a jab at Germany.

Anthony Albanese said on Friday Putin’s invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine a year ago was illegal and premeditated.

‘There are all sorts of excuses he will come up, but the regime in the region that doesn’t support democracy and supports authoritarianism is his own,’ said Mr Albanese told Sky News.

‘If he wants to look for authoritarianism, then he should look in the mirror. And that’s why Australia stands with Ukraine,’ Mr Albanese added.

Putin made the speech this week, continuing his frequent characterisation of Ukraine as a hotbed of neo-Nazi beliefs, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is of Jewish descent.

‘The ideology of Nazism in its modern form and manifestation again directly threatens the security of our country,’ Mr Putin said. 

‘Again and again we have to repel the aggression of the collective West.

‘It’s incredible but it’s a fact: we are again being threatened with German Leopard tanks with crosses on them.’ 

Australian Defence Force personnel are training Ukrainian soldiers in England. Australia has also just signed an agreement with France to provide even more military support to the embattled eastern European nation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at a concert in Volgograd during commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory at the Battle of Stalingrad during World War Two (pictured)

Mr Albanese said Putin’s invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago was illegal and premeditated ( pictured damage of an overnight missile strike in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on February 2, 2023)

Despite this, Ukraine continues to ask for support in the form of tanks to help fend off Russian attacks.

Asked about the matter, the Prime Minister said he’s open to further support, but noted the support provided already has been substantial.

‘This is a bipartisan issue. The former government also provided support … before the last election, and they have supported all the measures that were put in place,’ he said.